The impact of blood glucose levels on stimulated adrenocorticotropin hormone and growth hormone release in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
In studies investigating the influence of glucose levels on the pituitary function the methods used have been variable and mainly focused on the change in function as a reaction to unphysiological low or high blood glucose levels. In the present study the impact of physiological and elevated blood glucose levels on adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and growth hormone release are investigated.


METHODS
The euglycaemic and hyperglycaemic clamp techniques were used to reach stable levels of 4, 8 and 12 mmol/l blood glucose levels. After a stabilization phase of 2 h, a corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) or a growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulation test was performed.


METHODS
Seven and eight healthy male volunteers, belonging to two groups, participated in this study.


METHODS
The area under the curve (AUC), peak values and time to peak of ACTH, cortisol and growth hormone were calculated to evaluate the response to the CRH and GHRH stimulation test.


RESULTS
The peak values of ACTH, cortisol and growth hormone seemed to be the highest during the 4 mmol/l clamp sessions, compared with the 8 and 12 mmol/l clamps, although the differences were not statistically significant when analysed for every subject individually. The AUC and time to peak measurements were comparable during the three clamp procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
The pituitary reaction on CRH and GHRH was not significantly changed by various blood glucose levels.
Jakobsdóttir
S
S
Department of Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ML.Drent@VUmc.nl
Twisk
J W R
JW
Drent
M L
ML
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone