Serum growth hormone-binding protein, insulin-like growth factor-I, and growth hormone in patients with liver cirrhosis.
We determined serum growth hormone-binding protein (GHBP), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and growth hormone (GH) levels in patients with cirrhosis and in age-matched control subjects, and investigated their relationships. Serum GHBP levels in cirrhotic patients (14.6% +/- 3.9%) (means +/- SD) were significantly lower than those in normal subjects (20.4% +/- 4.7%). GHBP levels had positive correlations with cholinesterase (r = .58, P less than .001) and Normotest (r = .66, P less than .001), both of which represent liver function in cirrhotic patients. Basal GH levels in cirrhotic patients (range, 0.35 to 13.0 micrograms/L; median, 3.9 micrograms/L) were significantly higher than those in normal subjects (0.015 to 6.0 micrograms/L; 0.19 microgram/L). GHBP levels in cirrhotic patients correlated positively with IGF-I levels (r = .39, P less than .01), and negatively with GH levels (r = -.33, P less than .01). These results may indicate that the serum GHBP level reflects the number of hepatic GH receptors, and that the high basal GH level observed in cirrhotic patients is, at least in part, attributable to decreased clearance of GH by these receptors.
Hattori
N
N
Department of Endocrinology, Kobe City General Hospital, Japan.
Kurahachi
H
H
Ikekubo
K
K
Ishihara
T
T
Moridera
K
K
Hino
M
M
Saiki
Y
Y
Imura
H
H
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone; D002802:Cholinesterases; D001663:Bilirubin; C051815:somatotropin-binding protein