THE EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE ON MUSCLE POTASSIUM AND ON EXTRACELLULAR FLUID¹

Abstract

introduction ALTHOUGH the nitrogen-retaining effect of growth hormone (GH) has been known for some time, it has only recently been demonstrated (Glafkides and Bennett, 1951) that potassium is also retained during GH administration. This finding is not unexpected since it is generally agreed that both potassium and nitrogen are retained simultaneously by growing tissues. A more surprising finding by these authors was the fact that in balance experiments sodium excretion is also reduced by GH, as it had not previously been recognized that GH had any effect upon sodium metabolism. As far as the authors are aware there are no data available concerning the effects of hypophysectomy or GH upon the muscle sodium, muscle potassium, or extracellular fluid. In view of the well known effects of target organ hormones, such as testosterone and adreno-cortical steroids, upon electrolyte metabolism, it would be surprising if hypophysectomy did not have some effect.