Stimulation of human albumin synthesis and gene expression by growth hormone treatment.
OBJECTIVE
In this study the effects of acute (5 h) and short-term (5 days) GH treatment on albumin synthesis rates in man were investigated and related to changes in the availability of hepatic albumin mRNA.


METHODS
30 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into controls (n=10) or GH-treatment (12 U/dose) for 5 h or 5 days (n=10 in each group). Albumin mRNA levels (in liver biopsy specimens) were measured employing a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay developed specifically for this purpose, whereas albumin synthesis was measured using [(2)H(5)]phenylalanine.


RESULTS
The fractional synthesis rate of albumin was 6.0+/-0.9 %/day in the control group and 8.0+/-1.8 %/day and 8.3+/-1.7 %/day in the GH-treated groups, respectively (P<0.05 vs controls in both cases). The corresponding values for the concentration of albumin mRNA were 2.6+/-1.1 ng/microg total RNA, 2.9+/-0.8 ng/microg total RNA (NS) and 4.7+/-1.8 ng/microg total RNA in the "GH 5" group (P<0.01 vs controls). The changes in albumin synthesis were only partly explained by the differences in hepatic albumin mRNA levels (r=0.5, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that GH may induce a quick, gene expression-independent increase in albumin synthesis, which is sustained by a later-occurring increase in albumin gene expression.
Barle
H
H
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, K32, Huddinge University Hospital, S-14186 Huddinge, Sweden.
Råhlén
L
L
Essén
P
P
McNurlan
M A
MA
Garlick
P J
PJ
Holgersson
J
J
Wernerman
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000418:Albumins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors
D000418:Albumins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010649:Phenylalanine; D013006:Growth Hormone