Understanding the role of growth hormone in situations of metabolic stress

Autor(es)

Tavares, Mariana Rosolen ; Frazao, Renata ; Donato Jr, Jose

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Endocrinology; v. 256, n. 1, p. 11-pg., 2023-01-01.

Resumo

Growth hormone (GH) is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in controlling tissue and body growth. While basal GH secretion is considerably reduced along adulthood and aging, several situations of metabolic stress can lead to robust increases in circulating GH levels. The objective of the present review is to summarize and discuss the importance of GH regulating different physiological functions in situations of metabolic stress, including prolonged food restriction, hypoglycemia, exercise, pregnancy, and obesity. The presented data indicate that GH increases hunger perception/food intake, fat mobilization, blood glucose levels, and insulin resistance and produces changes in energy expenditure and neuroendocrine responses during metabolic challenges. When all these effects are considered in the context of situations of metabolic stress, they contribute to restore homeostasis by (1) helping the organism to use appropriate energy substrates, (2) preventing hypoglycemia or increasing the availability of glucose, (3) stimulating feeding to provide nutrients in response to energy-demanding activities or to accelerate the recovery of energy stores, and (4) affecting the activity of neuronal populations involved in the control of metabolism and stress response. Thus, the central and peripheral effects of GH coordinate multiple adaptations during situations of metabolic stress that ultimately help the organism restore homeostasis, increasing the chances of survival. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 19/21707-1 - Influência da privação alimentar na excitabilidade de neurônios que expressam o gene Kiss1
• Beneficiário: Renata Frazão
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 20/10102-9 - Estudo dos efeitos induzidos pela ablação do receptor de GH em neurônios da área hipotalâmica lateral
• Beneficiário: Mariana Rosolen Tavares
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 20/01318-8 - Sistema nervoso central como um alvo do hormônio do crescimento para a regulação de múltiplas funções biológicas
• Beneficiário: Jose Donato Junior
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático