Growth hormone, alone and in combination with insulin, increases whole body and skeletal muscle protein kinetics in cancer patients after surgery Journal Article


Authors: Berman, R. S.; Harrison, L. E.; Pearlstone, D. B.; Burt, M.; Brennan, M. F.
Article Title: Growth hormone, alone and in combination with insulin, increases whole body and skeletal muscle protein kinetics in cancer patients after surgery
Abstract: Objective: To investigate the impact of growth hormone, alone and in combination with insulin, on the protein kinetics of patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer who have undergone surgery and are receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Summary Background Data: Patients with malignancies of the upper GI tract are at increased risk for malnutrition and perioperative death and complications. Standard nutritional support has not significantly altered outcome. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin have been shown to have some benefit in patients with cancer; however, their action in patients undergoing resection has not previously been studied. Methods: Thirty patients undergoing surgery for upper GI tract malignancies were prospectively randomized into one of three nutritional support groups after surgery: 10 patients received standard TPN, 10 received TPN plus daily injections of GH, and 10 received daily GH, systemic insulin, and TPN. The patients underwent a protein kinetic radiotracer study on the fifth day after surgery to determine whole body and skeletal muscle protein kinetics. Results: Patients who received standard TPN only were in a state of negative skeletal muscle protein net balance. Those who received GH and insulin had improved skeletal muscle protein net balance compared with the TPN only group. Whole body protein net balance was improved in the GH and the GH and insulin groups compared with the TPN only group. GH and insulin combined did not improve whole body net balance more than GH alone. GH administration significantly increased serum IGF-1 and GH levels. Insulin infusion significantly increased serum insulin levels and the insulin/glucagon ratio. Conclusion: Growth hormone and GH plus insulin regimens improve protein kinetic parameters in patients with upper GI tract cancer who are receiving TPN after undergoing surgery.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; controlled study; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; clinical trial; postoperative care; pancreatic neoplasms; prospective studies; controlled clinical trial; protein metabolism; randomized controlled trial; drug effect; growth hormone; digestive system cancer; drug therapy, combination; human growth hormone; insulin; total parenteral nutrition; amino acid; glucose; insulin blood level; somatomedin c; trace element; malnutrition; insulin-like growth factor i; stomach neoplasms; esophageal neoplasms; skeletal muscle; muscle, skeletal; nutritional support; glucagon; muscle protein; parenteral nutrition, total; humans; human; male; female; priority journal; article; intralipid; travasol; insulin infusion; nitrogen balance; dietary proteins
Journal Title: Annals of Surgery
Volume: 229
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0003-4932
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 1999-01-01
Start Page: 1
End Page: 10
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/00000658-199901000-00001
PUBMED: 9923794
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC1191602
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 16 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  2. Michael E. Burt
    187 Burt