Effects of sex and age on serum GH binding protein levels in normal adults.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of sex and age on serum growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) levels during adulthood were investigated.


METHODS
The levels of GHBP, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and growth hormone (GH) were determined and analysed as a function of sex and age.


METHODS
We studied 101 normal adults (45 men, aged 20-77 years; 56 women, aged 20-80 years).


METHODS
GHBP levels were determined using an Ultrogel AcA 44 minicolumn.


RESULTS
During the second and third decade, GHBP levels were not different between men (22.8 +/- 1.1%) (mean +/- SE) and women (23.2 +/- 0.8%). After the age of 40 years, however, GHBP levels in men were significantly decreased (19.1 +/- 0.7%), and were lower than those in women (22.7 +/- 0.9%). IGF-I levels correlated positively with GHBP levels in men (r = 0.51, P less than 0.01) but not in women (r = 0.16, NS).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that both sex and age may have some effects on the GH-GH receptor-IGF-I axis.
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
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone; C051815:somatotropin-binding protein