Horm Metab Res 1980; 12(8): 377-381
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-996296
© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Association between Serum Insulin, Serum Somatomedin and Liver Receptors for Human Growth Hormone in Streptozotocin Diabetes

R. C. Baxter, A. S. Brown, J. R. Turtle
  • Endocrinology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

1979

1979

Publication Date:
22 April 2008 (online)

Summary

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in the female rat caused a decrease in the serum level of somatomedin (Sm), measured by radioreceptor assay. The decrease was reversed by insulin therapy. In diabetes of varying severity, serum insulin and Sm levels showed highly significant association up to the insulin concentration (18 μU/ml) corresponding to normal serum Sm (1 U/ml). Similarly, the hepatic binding of human growth hormone (hGH) showed highly significant association with serum Sm levels up to the degree of binding (7 % of tracer) corresponding to normal serum Sm. Binding of hGH to normal liver was about 12 % of tracer. These results suggest that insulin might regulate serum Sm via its effect on liver lactogenic receptors, and that about half of these receptors are “spare”, or in excess of those required to maintain normal serum Sm levels.