title: Physical and psychological capabilities during substitution therapy with recombinant growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency.
abstract: In a double-blind cross-over study with recombinant methionyl growth hormone (GH) and placebo during 12 weeks, the effect of GH substitution therapy (0.5-06 IU.kg-1.week-1) on physical performance, muscle strength, bone mineral density, and mood and cognitive functions was investigated in 6 GH-deficient adults. During GH substitution serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I and procollagen-III peptide increased in all 6 patients, whereas concentrations of serum urea decreased. Five of the patients identified the GH period and reported improved well-being with increased mental alertness and vitality and improved physical capacity and muscle strength. There was, however, no change of the isokinetic muscle strength during GH substitution therapy, and the working capacity on the bicycle ergometer was just slightly improved in some patients. The bone mineral density was low and unchanged in all patients. Mood and cognitive functions did not change during GH therapy. A reversible fluid retention was observed in one patient during the GH period. In conclusion, short-term GH substitution therapy to GH-deficient adults induced a subjective improvement of general well-being. Longer treatment periods will be necessary to establish the effect on physical capacity, muscle strength, bone mineral density, and mood and cognitive functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Degerblad
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Almkvist
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grunditz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaijser
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Knutsson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ringertz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thorén
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone