GROWTH-HORMONE (GH) TREATMENT UP-REGULATES GH RECEPTOR MESSENGER-RNA LEVELS IN ADIPOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH GH DEFICIENCY AND PRADER-WILLI-SYNDROME

We have investigated the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment on GH receptor mRNA expression in five prepubertal children with Prader-Wil li syndrome acid in eight patients with GH deficiency. An adipose tiss ue needle biopsy was taken before and after 2-4 mo of GH treatment, an d RNA was isolated from adipose tissue and from adipocytes, GH recepto r mRNA levels were determined by an RNase protection/solution hybridiz ation assay. To further assess the specificity of the assay for GH rec eptor mRNAs, RNA extracted from human adipose tissue was subjected to Northern blot analysis. GH treatment significantly increased GH recept or mRNA levels in adipose tissue and isolated adipocytes. Our results indicate that GH may have an important role in regulating the GH recep tor in humans.