The “So-Called” Somatomedin B and Growth Hormone Measured by Radioimmunoassay in Normal and Cirrhotic Individuals

F. H. D'Abronzo; O. Z. Higa; A. A. Laudana; S. S. Lima

doi:10.1055/s-2007-1014810

Hormone and Metabolic Research, Table of Contents

Horm Metab Res 1984; 16(8): 435-438
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1014810

Originals

The “So-Called” Somatomedin B and Growth Hormone Measured by Radioimmunoassay in Normal and Cirrhotic Individuals

F. H. D'Abronzo¹ , O. Z. Higa¹ , A. A. Laudana² , S. S. Lima³

¹Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN), São Paulo, Brasil
²Hospital Beneficiência Portuguêse, São Paulo, Brasil
³Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

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Summary

Serum somatomedin B (SmB) levels in cirrhotic individuals, 3,3 ± 1.5 mg/l, were strikingly lower (P < 0.001) than in normal subjects, 9.0 ± 1.7 mg/l. SmB levels were clearly related to the levels of α₂-globulins in the cirrhotics (r = + 0.8, P < 0.002). Serum SmB and growth hormone correlated negatively in a group of normal and cirrhotic individuals (r = -0.67, P < 0.001). Direct measurements of serum SmB failed to reveal differences between hepatic, renal and peripheral veins.

These findings suggest that: 1) SmB is produced by liver and/or normal liver function plays an important role in maintaining normal serum SmB levels; 2) SmB carrier proteins are reduced in the cirrhotics and 3) SmB is part of a negative feed-back system involving growth hormone.

Key-Words:

Somatomedin - Growth Hormone - Carrier Proteins - Feed-Back - Liver Cirrhosis

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