THE LIPOLYTIC EFFECTS OF THYROTROPIN AND ISOPRENALINE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY GROWTH-HORMONE IN INFANT ADIPOCYTES

The lipolytic effects of growth hormone (GH) in children are not fully clarified. In this study, no lipolytic effect of CH on isolated adipo cytes obtained at surgery on healthy infants aged 2-5 months and child ren 3-6 years was observed. Furthermore, CH did not enhance isoprenali ne-induced lipolysis, as in adults. The TSH-induced lipolysis which is prominent in neonatal adipocytes was not affected by incubation of ad ipocytes with GH. Assuming that GH alters adipocyte metabolism primari ly by increasing the sensitivity, but not the maximum response, of the beta(2)-drenergic receptor population, it follows that GH, in this se nse, should be a less important co-actor in children where beta(2)-adr energic receptors are more abundant.