Effects of various doses of growth hormone on serum total cholesterol, phospholipid, and bile acid in a patient with cholestasis.

To determine whether growth hormone (GH) has any impact on the hyperlipidemia seen in cholestatic patients, graded doses of GH in the sequence of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 u/kg every other day were administered sc to a patient with Alagille syndrome. Serum total cholesterol, phospholipid, and bile acid were measured. The serum levels of all three decreased markedly after GH administration and the lowest levels were observed on the second day after the GH dose of 0.4 u/kg. However, they increased thereafter despite the administration of an increased dose of GH; especially the serum bile acid level returned to the initial value by day 8. Serum levels of SM-C and fT3 were not correlated with the changes in total cholesterol, phospholipid, and bile acid after GH administration. We suggest that the administration of GH may affect the state of hyperlipidemia seen in cholestatic patients.