Growth hormone treatment improves serum lipids and lipoproteins in adults with growth hormone deficiency.
The effects of 6 months' treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on serum lipids and lipoproteins were assessed in 24 adult patients with GH deficiency in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Compared with age-, weight-, and sex-matched controls, the patients had significantly higher serum concentrations of total cholesterol (P = .002), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P < .001), apolipoprotein B ([apoB] P = .011), and triglyceride (P = .017), and lower concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P < .001). The prevalence of elevated serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and apo B levels was 39%, 26%, 39%, and 25%, respectively; 75% of patients had decreased concentrations of HDL cholesterol. Treatment with rhGH (0.07 U/kg daily) resulted in decreases in total cholesterol level (5.8 +/- 0.3 to 5.1 +/- 0.3 mmol.L-1 over 6 months; P = .01 compared with placebo), LDL cholesterol level (4.22 +/- 0.25 to 3.19 +/- 0.23 mmol.L-1; P = .0003), LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio (5.57 +/- 0.47 to 3.29 +/- 0.33; P = .03), apo B level (1.07 +/- 0.06 to 0.84 +/- 0.07 g.L-1; P = .003), and apo B: A-1 ratio (0.73 +/- 0.05 to 0.69 +/- 0.05; P = .01). HDL cholesterol and apo A-1 levels did not change following rhGH treatment. The changes in lipid and lipoprotein levels were not significantly related to changes in insulin, thyroid hormones, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), or indices of adiposity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cuneo
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Division of Endocrinology and Chemical Pathology, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London.
Salomon
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Watts
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Hesp
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Sönksen
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PH
D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000378:metabolism; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D013006:Growth Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol