Effects of growth hormone on insulin resistance and atherosclerotic risk factors in obese type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the combined effects of GH treatment and diet restriction on lipolysis and anabolism, insulin resistance and atherosclerotic risk factors in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).


METHODS
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 24 obese T2DM patients (male : female = 12 : 12, mean age 53.7 +/- 7.2 years) with poor glycaemic control (fasting plasma glucose 10.673 +/- 1.121 mmol/l, HbA(1C) 9.9 +/- 2.3%). Sixteen of these patients were treated with recombinant human GH (1-1.5 units/day, 5 days/week) while undergoing diet restriction and exercise for 12 weeks.


METHODS
Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance measurements were undertaken to determine the lean body mass and total body fat. Computed tomography (CT) was performed to estimate visceral and subcutaneous fat distribution at the umbilicus level and the muscle area of the midthigh. Insulin resistance was measured by the insulin tolerance test (ITT) and by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).


RESULTS
The ratios VSR (visceral fat area/subcutaneous fat area) and VMR (visceral fat area/thigh muscle area) were significantly decreased in the GH-treated group compared to the control group. An increase in lean body mass was observed in the GH-treated group. Levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid (FFA), fibrinogen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were significantly decreased after GH treatment. Fasting glucose levels decreased similarly (P < 0.05 anova) in both groups during the treatment period. Fasting C-peptide levels significantly increased, whereas insulin levels significantly decreased, in the GH-treated group, but no changes were observed in the control group. The insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was significantly increased in the GH-treated group (1.3 +/- 1.4 vs. 1.9 +/- 1.0%/min, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
GH treatment in obese T2DM patients with poor glycaemic control is beneficial in decreasing the amount of visceral fats, and may therefore result in improvements in insulin resistance, atherosclerotic risk factors and dyslipidaemia.
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Sudaemungu, Seoul, Korea.
Chul Woo
CW
Ahn
Chul Sik
CS
Kim
Jae Hyun
JH
Nam
Hai Jin
HJ
Kim
Ji Sun
JS
Nam
Jong Suk
JS
Park
Eun Seok
ES
Kang
Bong Soo
BS
Cha
Sung Kil
SK
Lim
Kyung Rae
KR
Kim
Hyun Chul
HC
Lee
Kap Bum
KB
Huh
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000473:pathology
D019382:Human Growth Hormone