[GHBP, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 serum levels in familial short-statured and normal-statured children].
OBJECTIVE
Growth hormone binding protein (GHBP), insuline-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insuline-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) serum concentrations were studied in familial short-statured patients (FSS) and age-matched normal-statured subjects. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether differences in growth factors concentrations between groups could be shown and whether they may contribute to explaining the different patterns of growth in both groups.


METHODS
Serum samples of 38 FSS patients (20 boys) and 31 normal-statured subjects (15 boys) in Tanner I stage (prepubertal), were analysed in a central laboratory. All auxological parameters (height, growth velocity, target height, body mass index (BMI) and biochemical parameters (IGF-1 and IGFBP-3) were standardised for age and sex-matched subjects. GHBP values were expressed as percentage of specific binding.


RESULTS
The studied populations were similar and no statistically-significant differences in chronological age, bone age and BMI were found. Height, growth velocity and target height were significantly lower in FSS patients compared with normal subjects (p < 0.0001). IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and GHBP concentrations were significantly lower in the FSS group (p < 0.01). Correlations were found between IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.56; p = 0.0004) and between IGF-1 and GHBP (r = 0.34; p = 0.03) in the FSS group. However, in the normal-statured group only BMI and GHBP were correlated (r = 0.5; p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
These results strongly support the importance of the GH/IGF-1 functional axis in the pattern of growth and probably contribute to understanding of the pathophysiologic basis of the auxological differences found between groups.
del Valle Núñez
Cristóbal Jorge
CJ
Unidad de Endocrinología Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain. cjvallen@telefonica.net
López-Siguero
Juan Pedro
JP
López-Canti
Luis Fernando
LF
Lechuga Campoy
José Luis
JL
Espigares Martín
Rosa
R
Martínez-Aedo Ollero
María José
MJ
D001827:Body Height / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; C051815:somatotropin-binding protein