Advisory Committee Chair
Joseph L Messina
Advisory Committee Members
Marcas M Bamman
Jeffrey D Kerby
Stuart J Frank
Rakesh P Patel
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2012
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Heersink School of Medicine
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) regulates body composition via stimulation of protein synthesis and catabolism of adipose tissue, generally promoting maintenance of lean body mass. Following severe injury, GH resistance contributes to muscle protein wasting, adversely impacting morbidity and mortality. In this dissertation research, we sought to determine the mechanisms of GH resistance following injury. To accomplish this, we evaluated GH signaling in a mouse model of severe injury. In the first section of this thesis, we demonstrate severe impairments in hepatic GH signaling occurring in association with an apparent, hemorrhage-dependent cleavage of the GH receptor (GHR). In the second section, we demonstrate the rapid development of cardiac GH resistance following injury. Finally, we detail the effects of injury on GH signaling in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Throughout these studies, the effects of fasting (alone or in combination with hemorrhage) on GH signaling were also investigated. The results of our studies suggest that 1) hepatic GH signaling is influenced by rapid alterations in the availability of functional GHR during stress, 2) fasting prevents cardiac GH resistance following injury, and 3) GH resistance is a common response to stress in multiple tissues.
Recommended Citation
Corrick, Ryan Marshall, "Effects of Stress on Growth Hormone Receptor Signaling" (2012). All ETDs from UAB. 1421.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/1421