Metabolic effects of growth hormone therapy in an Alström syndrome patient.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the metabolic effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in an Alström syndrome patient with growth hormone deficiency.


METHODS
A 15-year-old Alström syndrome boy with growth hormone deficiency received rhGH therapy for 1 year. Biochemical parameters, including hepatic enzyme levels, lipid profiles, and insulin sensitivity, were measured. Body composition analysis and computed tomography scans of the liver were performed.


RESULTS
After 1 year of rhGH treatment, body fat mass, fat infiltration in the liver, and serum lipid profiles had all decreased. Insulin sensitivity and acanthosis nigricans improved.


CONCLUSIONS
rhGH therapy might have beneficial effects on body composition, liver fat content, lipid profiles, and insulin resistance in Alström syndrome patients, with improvement of the glucose homeostasis.
Tai
Tsai-Sung
TS
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Republic of China.
Lin
Shih-Yi
SY
Sheu
Wayne Huey-Herng
WH
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D000052:Acanthosis Nigricans / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D025063:Chromosome Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008660:Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D001786:Blood Glucose; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone