Long-term high-physiological-dose growth hormone reduces intra-abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with a neutral effect on glucose metabolism.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of long-term high-physiological-dose recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy on fat distribution and glucose metabolism in HIV-infected patients.


METHODS
Forty-six HIV-infected Caucasian men on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with an age range of 21-60 years and no significant comorbidity, were included in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, single-centre trial. Twenty-eight subjects were randomized to 0.7 mg/day rhGH, and 18 subjects to placebo, administered as daily subcutaneous injections between 1 and 3 pm for 40 weeks. Endpoints included changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), limb fat mass, percentage of limb fat, plasma lipids, insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.


RESULTS
VAT and trunk fat mass decreased significantly in the GH group compared with the placebo group [-19 cm(2) (-11%) vs. 12 cm(2) (6%), P=0.03, and -548 g (-9%) vs. 353 g (6%), P<0.01, respectively]. The beneficial fat redistribution in the GH group occurred without concomitant changes in subcutaneous fat at the abdomen or extremities. rhGH therapy was well tolerated. Insulin resistance, glucose tolerance, and total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides did not significantly change during intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily 0.7 mg rhGH treatment for 40 weeks reduced abdominal visceral fat and trunk fat mass in HIV-infected patients. This treatment appeared to be safe with respect to glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Hansen
B R
BR
Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark. brhansen@dadlnet.dk
Haugaard
S B
SB
Jensen
F K
FK
Jensen
J E B
JE
Andresen
L
L
Iversen
J
J
Andersen
O
O
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D039682:HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol