The effects of similar increases in total insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) plasma concentrations achieved by either recombinant human (rh) growth hormone (GH) or rhIGF-I administration on whole body protein and glucose kinetics were assessed. Twenty-six healthy subjects received methylprednisolone (0.5 mg.kg-1.day-1 orally) during 6 days in combination with either placebo (saline sc), GH (0.3 mg.kg-1.day-1 sc), or IGF-I (80 micrograms.kg-1.day-1 sc) in a double-blind randomized fashion. Glucocorticoid administration resulted in protein catabolism as indicated by an increase in leucine flux and a 62 +/- 13% increase in leucine oxidation ([1-13C]leucine infusion technique); this increase was abolished by GH (-1 +/- 18%) as was statistically insignificant during IGF-I treatment (+53 +/- 25%). GH increased endogenous glucose production by 28 +/- 8%, augmented glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance of peripheral glucose clearance (euglycemic clamp), and increased circulating lipids. IGF-I administration resulted in both increased endogenous glucose production and increased peripheral glucose clearance such that plasma glucose concentrations remained unchanged by IGF-I. IGF-I lowered circulating GH and insulin and altered IGF binding proteins, which all may have reduced bioactivity of IGF-I. The data demonstrate that, in spite of similar total IGF-I plasma concentrations during treatment, GH and IGF-I exert markedly different effects on whole body leucine, glucose, and lipid metabolism.