Decreased growth hormone levels in the catabolic phase of severe injury.

BACKGROUND: Human growth hormone (hGH) is a potent anabolic agent, which has profound effects on protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. The role of this primarily anabolic hormone in the severe catabolic state of trauma is not known.

METHODS: In a group of young, obese, and elderly patients with multiple traumas, plasma hGH levels were measured in the catabolic "flow" phase of injury, once before and then after 4 to 6 days of nutritional support sufficient to match their initial loss of calories and nitrogen.

RESULTS: A decreased hGH level was noted in the hyperglycemic and hypercatabolic injured state, particularly in victims of trauma who were young and not obese, compared to respective volunteers. A significant (p = 0.025) inverse relationship was observed between age and plasma hGH levels in this group of patients who had experienced trauma. Nutritional therapy improved the protein and fat metabolism but could not reverse to the normal state. In young patients who had experienced trauma and who were not obese, the hGH levels were significantly improved because of dietary intake, whereas in elderly patients or patients who were obese no change was noted.

CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with less lipid mobilization and inefficient utilization of fatty acids in the elderly patients or patients who were obese who had abundant fat sources to spare. Elevation of hGH level by exogenous administration may improve the nitrogen economy and lipid mobilization, particularly so in the elderly patients or patients who were overweight. Our study supports the view that provision of adequate nutrition with daily administration of human hGH in the first week after trauma would enhance the metabolic status of the patient, resulting in reduced morbidity and earlier discharge from the hospital.