Effects of growth hormone on lipid metabolism in humans

Abstract The most immediate effect of growth hormone (GH) administration in humans is a significant increase in free fatty acids after 1–2 h, reflecting stimulation of lipolysis and ketogenesis. This stimulation represents an important physiological adaptation to stress and fasting. When the capacity of GH to increase lipolysis is blocked, the protein-retaining and insulin-antagonistic effects of GH on glucose metabolism are either abolished or weakened dramatically, compatible with a key role for lipolysis in orchestrating the metabolic actions of GH.