Effect of recombinant growth hormone on leptin, adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and ghrelin levels in growth hormone-deficient children.
BACKGROUND
Treatment with GH promotes linear growth and decreases body fat in patients with isolated GH deficiency (GHD). However, few studies have analyzed how GH replacement modifies ghrelin levels and the adipokine profile and the relationship of these modifications with the metabolic changes.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the eventual differences between serum levels of leptin, leptin soluble receptor (sOBR), resistin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total (TG) and acylated ghrelin (AG) and lipid and glycemic profiles in children with GHD, as well as to determine the effect of GH replacement on these parameters during the first year of therapy.


METHODS
Thirty pre-pubertal (Tanner stage I) GHD children and 30 matched controls were enrolled. Children with GHD were studied before and after 6 and 12 months of GH treatment. Weight, height, BMI, fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile and serum levels of adipokines and ghrelin were studied at every visit. Adi - pokines, insulin and ghrelin levels were determined by using commercial radio- and enzymoimmunoassays.


RESULTS
At baseline children with GHD had significantly higher sOBR (p<0.01) and adiponectin (p<0.01) levels than controls. Treatment with GH resulted in a decline in leptin (p<0.05) and TG (p<0.001) levels, an increase of homeostasis model assessment index and restored IGF-I levels (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that GH replacement has a negative effect on leptin levels and may also produce a slight unfavorable effect on carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, the changes observed in the adipokine profile appear to be independent of body mass index.
López-Siguero
J P
JP
Hospital Materno Infantil Carlos Haya, Málaga, Spain.
López-Canti
L F
LF
Espino
R
R
Caro
E
E
Fernández-García
J M
JM
Gutiérrez-Macías
A
A
Rial
J M
JM
Lechuga
J L
JL
Macías
F
F
Martínez-Aedo
M J
MJ
Rico
S
S
Rodríguez
I
I
Guillén
J
J
Arroyo
F J
FJ
Bernal
S
S
Espigares
R
R
Núñez
M
M
Escribano
A
A
Barrionuevo
J L
JL
Gentil
J
J
Barrios
V
V
Fernández-Nistal
A
A
Martos-Moreno
G A
GA
Martínez
V
V
Argente
J
J
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D054439:Ghrelin; D015850:Interleukin-6; D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D052243:Resistin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone