Short-term oral oestrogen therapy dissociates the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis without altering energy metabolism in premenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
Oral oestrogen has been shown to dissociate the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis and alter energy metabolism in postmenopausal women. This study was designed to determine whether these metabolic changes occur with short-term oral oestrogen in premenopausal women.


METHODS
A double-blind placebo controlled randomised-crossover design study was performed in 12 premenopausal women. Investigations were performed after either 5 days of oral 17beta-oestradiol valerate 2mg twice daily or placebo. Outcomes included body composition measured by bio-impedance, energy metabolism measured by indirect calorimetry and blood sampling.


RESULTS
Oral oestrogen significantly suppressed IGF-I levels and increased fasting GH levels. No significant changes in energy metabolism or body composition were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term oral oestrogen suppresses IGF-I and elevates GH levels in premenopausal women. No effects were seen on body composition and energy metabolism. Further research is required to determine whether metabolic effects of oral oestrogen may become apparent if longer courses of treatment were administered to premenopausal women.
Department of Medicine and Endocrinology, St. George Clinical School, University of New South Wales, 2nd Floor Pitney Building, Sydney, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia.
Denise S
DS
Huang
Anthony J
AJ
O'Sullivan
D001823:Body Composition; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017697:Premenopause; D055815:Young Adult
D004967:Estrogens; D005227:Fatty Acids; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D004958:Estradiol; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I