title: Anthropometric, metabolic, and immunological effects of recombinant human growth hormone in AIDS and AIDS-related complex.
abstract: Metabolic and anthropometric changes induced by "pharmacological" versus "physiological" doses (5.0 vs. 2.5 mg, every other day) of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) were compared in 10 human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex. Five patients were randomly assigned to each treatment schedule in a 3-month prospective, double-blind clinical trial. Three of the 10 patients, none taking zidovudine and all with low initial CD4 counts, were withdrawn during the study due to acute opportunistic infections. During treatment, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the pharmacological hGH treatment group, whereas no significant change was observed in IGF-1 in the physiological dose rhGH group. In the pharmacological hGH treatment group, weight loss preceding the study was reversed (p < 0.05) in each of the four patients who completed the study. This weight gain was associated with increases (p < 0.05) in lean body mass and total body water, with concomitant decreases in fat mass (p < 0.05) and urinary nitrogen excretion. Muscle power and endurance, as assessed by standardized omnikinetic dynamometry, also improved. All four patients lost weight again (p < 0.05) 6 weeks after completion of the study and termination of rhGH treatment. Minor positive changes in body composition were also observed in the physiologic-dose hGH group. The pharmacological dose of hGH was associated with minor increments (p < 0.05) in fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations, which were of negligible clinical significance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Krentz
authors.forename: F T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Koster
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Crist
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Finn
authors.forename: L Z
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Schade
mesh_terms: D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D001834:Body Water / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone