THE OCCURRENCE OF ABNORMAL INSULIN AND GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) RESPONSES TO SUSTAINED HYPERCLYCAEMIA IN A DISEASE WITH SEX CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS (TURNER'S SYNDROME)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The plasma insulin response to prolonged glucose infusion was studied in 14 patients with Turner's syndrome having a normal intravenous glucose tolerance test. The insulin response was in most instances delayed and diminished in spite of a higher than normal blood glucose level. The fasting plasma growth hormone (HGH) level was elevated, and hyperglycaemia induced a paradoxical increase in plasma HGH in most of the patients. The HGH response to hypoglycaemia was normal. Oestrogen replacement accentuated the paradoxical HGH reaction to hyperglycaemia while the insulin response diminished further. In contrast to earlier studies no increase in the frequency of diabetes was found among the relatives of the Turner patients. In one subject there was a definite hyperplasia of the islet tissue of the pancreas with signs of decreased activity of the β-cells, in a second one the amount of islet tissue was fairly high. Possible relationships between the above findings are discussed.