GROWTH-HORMONE IN THE REGULATION OF HYPERLIPIDEMIA

Plasma concentrations of triglyceride, cholesterol, and apolipoproteins A-I and B in young growth hormone [GH] deficient subjects were measured at intervals during the 5 wk after initial hormone-replacement therapy. The mean concentrations of cholesterol, apolipoproteins A-I and B decreased significantly during that period: the decreases were progressive and in similar proportion to each other. The amount by which apolipoprotein A-I concentration decreased was correlated with its plasma concentration before treatment. GH may play a role in the regulation of these 3 major plasma lipoprotein components and tend to suppress the development of hypercholesterolemia which has been observed in some adult GH deficient subjects.