Growth hormone directly alters glucose utilization in 3T3 adipocytes.

3T3-F442A adipocytes incubated in the presence of growth hormone (GH) showed a transient stimulation of the incorporation of [14C]glucose into cellular lipids, or production of 14CO2 in the first 4 hr. By 48 hr, a significant suppression of glucose metabolism was evident, and persisted for 7 days. Both effects resulted from direct in vitro addition of GH to 3T3 adipocytes. This system therefore provides the first appropriate cellular model for examination of both the characteristic acute stimulatory and delayed suppressive actions of GH on glucose metabolism.