Measurement of amino-terminal propeptide of C-type natriuretic peptide in patients with idiopathic short stature or isolated growth hormone deficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the value of amino-terminal propeptide of C-type natriuretic peptide (NTproCNP) in evaluating the effectiveness of therapy with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in patients with idiopathic short stature (ISS) and isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD).


METHODS
Forty-eight prepubertal children (IGHD = 25, ISS = 23) treated for at least 1 year with rhGH were included. Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and NTproCNP serum levels were measured before starting treatment and again 6 months later. Twelve months after starting treatment, all patients were assessed and annual growth velocity (GV), height standard deviation score (HTSDS), and gain HTSDS (deltaHTSDS) were recorded.


RESULTS
In the GHD group, positive relationships between GV and change of IGF-I(SDS) (deltaIGF-I(SDS)), GV and change of NTproCNP concentrations (deltaNTproCNP) were found. GH peak value was also positively associated with IGF-I(SDS) and NTproCNP before therapy and deltaIGF-I(SDS) and deltaNTproCNP were positively associated. In the ISS group, GV was associated with only deltaNTproCNP.


CONCLUSIONS
NTproCNP is a novel biomarker of growth as levels increase during growth-promoting treatment. Furthermore, IGF-I is also valuable in evaluating the efficacy of rhGH therapy in short stature patients.
Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Lu Wan District, Shanghai, China.
Yuan
Y
Xiao
Zhiya
Z
Dong
Wenli
W
Lu
Xiuming
X
Wang
Wenxin
W
Sun
Defen
D
Wang
Jihong
J
Ni
Fengsheng
F
Chen
Junqi
J
Wang
Wei
W
Wang
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects
D015415:Biomarkers; C480579:amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide, human; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I