Effects of growth hormone administration in human obesity.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the reports in the literature regarding the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment of obesity.


METHODS
Clinical trials of GH treatment of obese adults were reviewed and summarized. Specifically, information regarding the effects of GH on body fat and body fat distribution, glucose tolerance/insulin resistance, and adverse consequences of treatment were recorded.


RESULTS
GH administered together with hypocaloric diets did not enhance fat loss or preserve lean tissue mass. No studies provided strong evidence for an independent beneficial effect of GH on visceral adiposity. In all but one study, glucose tolerance during GH treatment suffered relative to placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
The bulk of studies indicate little or no beneficial effects of GH treatment of obesity despite the low serum GH concentrations associated with obesity.
Shadid
Samyah
S
Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Jensen
Michael D
MD
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D001823:Body Composition; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002149:Energy Intake; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*
D019382:Human Growth Hormone