Comparison of oral versus intravenous glucose exposure on plasma growth hormone levels: a crossover study in healthy volunteers
Authors' conclusion
Route of glucose exposure might influence the suppressive effect of glucose on GH secretion. This finding suggests that stimulation of other hormone systems may play a contributing role on the regulation of GH. The potential mechanism behind remains elusive but changes in gut-derived hormones might be of importance.
Study context
- Population
- Healthy volunteers (6 females, mean age 47.9 ± 5.4 years)crossover
- Participants
- 12 volunteers
- Comparison
- Oral glucose vs isoglycaemic intravenous (IV) glucose infusion
- Outcome
- GH suppression by route of glucose administration (GH concentrations at every sample time point; AUC of GH)
- Follow-up
- 2 h
Methodological detailstwo-day intervention, isoglycaemic
- Two-day intervention
- Isoglycaemic
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Plasma GH
Growth hormone (GH) change at 20 min: increase during IV glucose
46%
GH change at 20 min: decrease during oral glucose
17%
Further findings
GH at 45 min (biggest numerical difference)
P = 0.072
- AUC of insulin, GLP-1 and GIP · higher with oral glucose · paired t-test of AUC
- P < 0.001
- AUC of insulin, GLP-1 and GIP · higher with oral glucose · paired t-test of AUC
- P = 0.002
- AUC of insulin, GLP-1 and GIP · higher with oral glucose · paired t-test of AUC
- P < 0.001
Acromegaly exclusion threshold not reached
- Subjects not reaching threshold for excluding acromegaly during IV glucose
- two subjects
Original publication
Comparison of oral versus intravenous glucose exposure on plasma growth hormone levels: a crossover study in healthy volunteers. Pituitary. Published 12 January 2026. doi:10.
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