Effect of recombinant human GH on circulating granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and neutrophils in patients with adult GH deficiency.
BACKGROUND
We previously reported that short-term continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSI) of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) increased plasma erythropoietin levels and hemoglobin concentrations in patients with adult GH deficiency. In the present study, we investigated the effect of rhGH on plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels and neutrophil counts in patients with adult GH deficiency.


METHODS
rhGH was administrated for 1 year in six patients with adult GH deficiency (age range, 24-69 years; mean +/- S.E.M., 51.7 +/- 5.8 years; two males and four females) by means of CSI at a rate of 0.25 U/kg per week. Blood samples were obtained in the morning after overnight fasting every month before and after the start of rhGH administration. Plasma GH, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and G-CSF levels, and neutrophil counts, were measured.


RESULTS
Mean ( +/- S.E.M.) plasma GH levels increased from 0.26 +/- 0.14 to 2.28 +/- 0.20 microg/l 1 month after the start of rhGH administration. An increase of the plasma GH levels was accompanied by an increase in the plasma IGF-I levels from 64.7 +/- 8.5 to 293.3 +/- 80.6 microg/l. Plasma G-CSF levels increased at 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 months after the start of rhGH administration compared with 28.6 +/- 11.0 ng/l at time 0. The neutrophil counts increased at 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 months after the start of rhGH administration compared with 2822 +/- 377 neutrophils/microl at time 0.


CONCLUSIONS
rhGH administration increased plasma G-CSF levels and neutrophil counts. GH and/or IGF-I might stimulate neutrophil production and/or release via G-CSF.
Sohmiya
Motoi
M
Department of Endocrinology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo 693-8501, Japan. motoi@med.shimane-u.ac.jp
Kanazawa
Ippei
I
Kato
Yuzuru
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I