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NCT Number: NCT00355784

Growth Hormone as a Determinant of Weight Regulation

With the alarming increase in the prevalence of obesity, identifying factors that predispose individuals to weight-gain is of critical importance. Even when caloric intake and physical activity levels are well controlled, susceptibility for weight-gain is heterogeneous. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) represents the largest portion of daily energy expenditure in normal adults, and as such, variability in BMR among individuals can be a major factor in determining the susceptibility for gaining weight. However, factors responsible for this variability in BMR and resistance to weight-gain remain unclear. Our preliminary data indicate that high-normal growth hormone (GH) concentration is associated with resistance to weight-gain in rats when overfed and greater weight-loss in humans when underfed. In addition, the investigators have found that the pulsatility of GH secretion has profound effects on several metabolic processes. Therefore, together these findings suggest that endogenous GH secretion is associated with body weight regulation, and the pulsatility (peak amplitude) of GH secretion, rather than the absolute GH concentration, per se, may be responsible for this effect. Because GH influences many of the key metabolic processes that contribute to BMR (e.g.; protein synthesis, proteolysis, substrate cycling), the investigators anticipate that the resistance to weight-gain in persons with elevated GH concentrations will be associated with an increase in BMR due to acceleration of some or all of these processes. Our overall hypothesis is that increased GH secretion can protect against weight-gain due to an augmentation of major metabolic processes that contribute to BMR. Identifying factors responsible for predisposing individuals to weight-gain will lead to establishing improved methods for reducing the prevalence of obesity.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

About this study

The susceptibility to gain weight is highly variable even when caloric intake and physical activity are well controlled. Because basal metabolic rate (BMR) represents ~70% of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), even a small difference in BMR can affect daily energy balance, thereby increasing the susceptibility for gaining weight. Our preliminary data indicate that high-normal growth hormone (GH) secretion is associated with resistance to weight-gain in rats when overfed and greater weight-loss in humans when underfed. Given that GH influences many of the key metabolic processes that contribute to BMR, the investigators hypothesize that persons with high-normal GH will be resistant to weight-gain because of a high BMR, resulting from accelerated rates of these processes. The investigators will measure basal 24h GH secretion and BMR in 106 non-obese men and women. The investigators will also measure protein synthesis, proteolysis, triglyceride/fatty acid cycling (all measured using stable isotope tracer methods) to determine the relationships among these processes, BMR, and GH [Specific Aim 1]. Subjects identified as having "low-normal" (<1.5 ug/L) and "high-normal" (>3 ug/L) 24h GH will then be admitted to the hospital for a 2 wk overfeeding protocol (~2000 kcal/d >TDEE - with restricted physical activity), immediately followed by a 4 wk caloric restriction protocol (~750 kcal/d <TDEE) to compare changes in weight, body composition and intra-abdominal adiposity between these groups that differ markedly in their GH secretion (GH measured before the diet) [Specific Aim 2]. A subset of subjects with low-normal GH will receive intravenous GH throughout the 2 wk overfeeding period at either: 1. a constant rate or 2. as a pulsatile infusion (to mimic endogenous secretion). BMR will be assessed daily and protein synthesis, proteolysis, and triglyceride/fatty acid cycling will be measured at the end of the 2 wks [Specific Aim 3]. The investigators anticipate that a higher GH pulsatility (peak amplitude), rather than elevated GH concentration, per se, will increase protein synthesis, proteolysis, and triglyceride/fatty acid cycling with a resultant increase in BMR and resistance to weight-gain. Identifying factors responsible for predisposing individuals to weight-gain will help combat the alarming rise in the prevalence of obesity.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age = 21-35 years Weight stable (< ± 5 pound over past 6 months) Premenopausal (women only) Body mass index 18 - 26 kg/m2 Must be willing to be randomized to receive GH infusion during 2 week Michigan Clinical Research Unit (MCRU) visit

Exclusion criteria

  • Evidence of metabolic or cardiovascular disease Pregnancy (women only) Hyperlipidemia (fasting plasma triglyceride concentration > 150 mg/dl) Hematocrit < 34% Liver Function test abnormalities participating in a regular exercise program (> 2 h/week) taking any prescription medication (except birth control)

Treatment and study plan

Overfeeding

Other

overfeeding 2000kcals/day above energy requirements for 14d

growth hormone treatment

Drug

growth hormone administrated for 2 weeks (dose = 1.0 mg/m2/d)

Primary outcomes

  1. 24 Hour Average Plasma Growth Hormone Concentration

    Time frame: 2 weeks

  2. Changes in Body Weight

    Time frame: 2 weeks

  3. Baseline Whole Body Protein Turnover

    Time frame: baseline

    Whole body proteolytic rate (Leucine Ra)

  4. Baseline Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis

    Time frame: baseline

    after an overnight fast

  5. Lipolytic Rate

    Time frame: 2 weeks

  6. Whole Body Protein Turnover After 2 Week Intervention

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    whole body proteolytic rate (leucine Ra)

  7. 2 Week Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    after an overnight fast

  8. Changes in Fat Mass

    Time frame: 2 weeks

  9. Changes in Fat-free Mass

    Time frame: 2 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Michigan

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Registry information

Official study title

Growth Hormone as a Determinant of Weight Regulation.

Important dates

Study start
2005
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2015
First posted
Jul 25, 2006
Registry last updated
Jan 1, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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