Glucose-dependent changes in growth hormone regulation associated with sepsis.

Major alterations in the glucose-mediated regulation of growth hormone are associated with sepsis; however, these alterations are not related to the rate of change in plasma glucose or changes in glucagon, epinephrine levels, or circulating levels of arginine. Alterations in the growth hormone regulatory mechanism occurred among septic patients who manifested severe glucose intolerance which was associated with suppression of insulin production. Inhibition of growth hormone release in these patients may have an adverse effect on amino acid movement, which lends further support to the concept that sustained hyperglycemia in the septic patient is undesirable.