Context: Previous studies have suggested a relationship between GH and mitochondrial function. However, little is known about the relationship of specific GH indices and in vivo measures of mitochondrial function in humans.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the association between GH, IGF-I, and phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery, a measure of mitochondrial function, in otherwise healthy adults.
Design: Thirty-seven healthy men and women were studied at a single university medical center. Subjects underwent GH stimulation testing with GH releasing hormone-arginine and measurement of IGF-I. Mitochondrial function was determined by PCr recovery after submaximal exercise by (31)Phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Subjects underwent assessment of lean and fat mass with use of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Results: There were no differences in PCr recovery between men and women (men 20.7±1.5 vs. women 24.8±1.4 mM/min; P > 0.05). IGF-I (r = 0.33; P = 0.04) was associated with PCr recovery in all subjects. Among men, IGF-I (r = 0.69; P = 0.003), peak stimulated GH (r = 0.52; P = 0.04), and GH area under the curve (AUC) (r = 0.53; P = 0.04) were significantly associated with PCr recovery. However, neither IGF-I, peak stimulated GH, nor GH AUC (all P > 0.05) were associated with PCr recovery in women. After adjusting for age, race, and physical activity, IGF-I remained significantly associated with PCr recovery (β = 0.10; P = 0.02) among men.
Conclusions: IGF-I, peak stimulated GH, and GH AUC are associated with skeletal muscle PCr recovery in men.