Effect of growth hormone on muscle function

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Aerobic energy powers endurance exercises e.g. jogging, long distance running etc. and it is used as a measure of fitness. On the other hand, initiation of any activity (e.g. rushing for a bus, climbing stairs) relies on anaerobic energy that is provided by preformed energy in form of phosphocreatine and glycolysis (breakdown of glucose) that occurs in absence of oxygen. Hence, individuals with inadequate anaerobic energy levels usually struggle to carry out their activities of daily living and suffer from chronic fatigue. What regulates the Anaerobic Energy System (AES) is not well studied and the factors that enhance AES apart from physical training are not known. Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) typically suffer from chronic fatigue and loss of vitality, symptoms suggesting impairment of the AES. These symptoms improve with GH replacement. However, the mechanisms underlying the symptomatology and how it is improved are poorly understood. New research shows that GH plays a vital role in energy provision. A recent study showed that administration to healthy subjects with GH enhanced sprinting, which is a marker of anaerobic capacity. However, GH did not improve any other measures of physical performance. Another research studied the effects of GH treatment in GHD subjects at a cellular level and found that GH favored the use of glucose (anaerobic glycolysis) over fat as a fuel for energy provision in muscle cells. These studies indicate that GH may have a positive role in regulating the AES. The main aims of this study are to investigate the effects of GH on anaerobic capacity and genes governing energy metabolism in skeletal muscle, and study the relationship between the AES and physical function.

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