Growth hormone does not affect albumin synthesis in the critically ill.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of growth hormone (GH) on albumin synthesis in critically ill patients.


METHODS
Prospective randomized controlled study.


METHODS
Two intensive care units, university hospital and county hospital, respectively.


METHODS
Twenty-two critically ill patients in the intensive care unit.


METHODS
Albumin synthesis was measured twice in each patient, with a 5-day interval. The patients in the control group (n = 11) received standard intensive care unit (ICU) treatment between measurements, whereas those in the GH group (n = 11) also received 0.3 U/kg daily of human recombinant GH.


RESULTS
Albumin synthesis was measured by labeling with L-[2H5]phenylalanine. In the control group, the fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of albumin was 16.3+/-4.1%/day (mean and SD) in the first measurement and 15.7+/-4.2%/day 5 days later (NS), whereas in the GH group the corresponding values were 17.0+/-4.7%/day and 16.7+/-5.5%/day (NS). The calculated absolute synthesis rates of albumin, based on FSR and intravascular albumin mass, also showed no effect of GH.


CONCLUSIONS
Albumin synthesis rates were consistently higher in the two groups of critically ill patients than previously reported values in healthy subjects. However, GH treatment for 5 days neither stimulated nor inhibited albumin synthesis rates in these critically ill patients.
Barle
H
H
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Sweden. hans.barle@anaesth.hs.sll.se
Gamrin
L
L
Essén
P
P
McNurlan
M A
MA
Garlick
P J
PJ
Wernerman
J
J
D018806:APACHE; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016638:Critical Illness; D003903:Deuterium; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013548:Sweden
D012709:Serum Albumin; D010649:Phenylalanine; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003903:Deuterium