Description
Growth hormone has major biological actions that persist into adulthood and are important for normal wellbeing. GH interacts with insulin to regulate fuel supplies between feeding and fasting. While GH promotes protein anabolism and nitrogen retention, its catabolic actions in adipose tissue have led to the concept that it is a partitioning agent for nutrients. A role for the GH-IGF axis in normal glucose homeostasis has been established and it is clear that GH is involved in body fluid balance, bone and calcium metabolism as well as energy expenditure. The importance of these actions can be finally appreciated by examining the excess morbidity and mortality seen in individuals with GH deficiency.
