THE USE OF STABLE ISOTOPES TO UNRAVEL THE HYPERLIPIDEMIA OF ADULT GROWTH-HORMONE DEFICIENCY

Using stable isotope techniques to establish turnover rates for very l ow density lipoprotein (VLDL), a group of eight adult patients with gr owth hormone deficiency (GHD) exhibited an increased VLDL apoprotein B (apo B) secretion and decreased VLDL apoB metabolic clearance rate co mpared to controls. Such increased secretion is seen in some dyslipide mic states, including GHD, which are associated with atherosclerosis. The study of VLDL metabolism may provide a clue to the lipid metabolis m disorder associated with GHD.