title: GH effect on enzyme activity of 11betaHSD in abdominal obesity is dependent on treatment duration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the past years the interaction of GH and 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD) in the pathogenesis of central obesity has been suggested.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the effects of 9 months of GH treatment on 11betaHSD activity and its relationship with body composition and insulin sensitivity in 30 men with abdominal obesity, aged 48-66 years, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urinary steroid profile was used to estimate 11betaHSD type 1 and 2 (11betaHSD1 and 11betaHSD2) activities. Abdominal s.c. and visceral adipose tissues were measured using computed tomography. Glucose disposal rate (GDR) obtained during a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp was used to assess insulin sensitivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the GH-treated group the 11betaHSD1 activity decreased transiently after 6 weeks (P < 0.01) whereas 11betaHSD2 increased after 9 months of treatment (P < 0.05). Between 6 weeks and 9 months, GDR increased and visceral fat mass decreased. Changes in 11betaHSD1 correlated with changes in visceral fat mass between baseline and 6 weeks. There were no significant correlations between 11betaHSD1 and 11betaHSD 2 and changes in GDR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study demonstrates that short- and long-term GH treatment has different effects on 11betaHSD1 and 11betaHSD2 activity. Moreover, the data do not support that long-term metabolic effects of GH are mediated through its action on 11betaHSD.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden. helga.sigurjonsdottir@medic.gu.se
authors.forename: Helga A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sigurjónsdóttir
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koranyi
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Axelson
authors.forename: Bengt-Ake
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bengtsson
authors.forename: Gudmundur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Johannsson
mesh_terms: D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 / Q000097:blood; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 / Q000097:blood; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000187:drug effects; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D006854:Hydrocortisone