Effect of growth hormone therapy on serum adiponectin and resistin levels in short, small-for-gestational-age children and associations with cardiovascular risk parameters.
BACKGROUND
Adiponectin and resistin are fat cell-derived hormones, which are thought to be respectively protective and disadvantageous with regard to the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2. Low birth weight has been associated with increased risks for the development of these diseases. In short, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children, GH therapy has several positive effects regarding cardiovascular risk factors. On the other hand, concern has been expressed about the effects of GH therapy on insulin sensitivity.


METHODS
We measured adiponectin and resistin levels in 136 short prepubertal children born SGA and their association with cardiovascular risk parameters and growth factors. Also, we compared the levels with normal-statured controls. The effect of GH treatment was evaluated in 50 short SGA children vs. baseline and vs. an untreated sex- and age-matched SGA control group.


RESULTS
Short SGA children had similar adiponectin and lower resistin levels, compared with normal-statured controls. In GH-treated SGA children, neither adiponectin nor resistin levels changed significantly during 2 yr of GH treatment. Compared with untreated sex- and age-matched SGA controls, GH-treated SGA children had similar adiponectin and lower resistin levels. Adiponectin correlated inversely with age but not any cardiovascular risk parameter or growth factor. Higher IGF-I levels in GH-treated children were associated with lower resistin levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with normal-statured controls, short prepubertal SGA children had similar adiponectin and lower resistin levels. Two years of GH treatment had no effect on their adiponectin and resistin levels.
Willemsen
Ruben H
RH
Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center Sophia, Room SP-3435, Dr. Molenwaterplein 60, 3015 GJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.h.willemsen@erasmusmc.nl
van Dijk
Marije
M
de Rijke
Yolanda B
YB
van Toorenenbergen
Albert W
AW
Mulder
Paul G
PG
Hokken-Koelega
Anita C
AC
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood*
D052242:Adiponectin; C499624:RETN protein, human; D052243:Resistin; D013006:Growth Hormone