Effects of growth hormone and/or testosterone on very low density lipoprotein apolipoprotein B100 kinetics and plasma lipids in healthy elderly men: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of low dose recombinant growth hormone (GH), testosterone (T) and combined GH and T, on lipid profiles and very low density lipoprotein apolipoprotein B (VLDL apoB) metabolism.


METHODS
Sixty-nine healthy elderly men (65-80 yr) were studied in a six month double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomised to placebo GH and placebo T (P), GH and placebo T (GH), T and placebo GH (T) or GH and T (GHT).


METHODS
Plasma lipid profiles were assessed before treatment and at 6 months. VLDL apoB absolute secretion rate (ASR) and fractional catabolic rate (FCR) were measured in a subset of 21 men: P (n=5); GH (n=5); T (n=6); GHT (n=5), with an infusion of 1-(13)C leucine. Fat mass (FM) was measured by DEXA and intra-abdominal fat (IAF) by CT scan.


RESULTS
IGF-I levels increased in the GH and GHT (P<0.001) groups: testosterone increased in the T (P=0.029) and GHT (P=0.05) groups. There was no change in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B or lipoprotein(a) in the GH, GHT or T groups. In the subset of 21 men, IGF-I levels increased similarly with GH and GHT (P<0.01) but T levels increased only with T (P<0.03). FM and IAF decreased significantly only with GHT (P<0.01, P=0.01). Treatment with GH, T or GHT had no effect on VLDL apoB ASR or VLDL FCR.


CONCLUSIONS
Co-administration of GH and T in near physiological doses in healthy elderly men resulted in favourable changes in body composition without altering the plasma lipid profile or VLDL apoB metabolism.
Giannoulis
Manthos G
MG
Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, St. Thomas's Hospital, GKT School of Medicine, King's College London, SE1 7EH, United Kingdom.
Jackson
Nicola
N
Shojaee-Moradie
Fariba
F
Sonksen
Peter H
PH
Martin
Finbarr C
FC
Umpleby
A Margot
AM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000097:blood*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D008055:Lipids; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I