title: Fifteen years of GH replacement improves body composition and cardiovascular risk factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few studies have determined the effects of more than 5-10 years of GH replacement in adults on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, single-center, open-label study, the effects of 15 years of GH replacement on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors were determined in 156 hypopituitary adults (93 men) with adult-onset GH deficiency (GHD). Mean age was 50.5 (range 22-74) years at study start. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean initial GH dose of 0.55 (S.E.M. 0.03) mg/day was gradually lowered to 0.40 (0.01) mg/day after 15 years. The mean serum IGF1 SDS increased from -1.53 (0.10) at baseline to 0.74 (0.13) at study end (P<0.001 vs baseline). Lean soft tissue (LST) increased to 3% above the baseline level at study end (P<0.001). After a 9% decrease during the first year of treatment (P<0.001 vs baseline), body fat (BF) started to increase and had returned to the baseline level after 15 years. Serum levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol decreased and serum HDL-cholesterol level increased. Fasting plasma glucose increased from 4.4 (0.1) at baseline to 4.8 (0.1) mmol/l at study end (P<0.001). However, blood HbA1c decreased from 5.0 (0.1) to 4.6 (0.1) % (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fifteen-year GH replacement in GHD adults induced a transient decrease in BF and sustained improvements of LST and serum lipid profile. Fasting plasma glucose increased whereas blood HbA1c was reduced.
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. mariam.elbornsson@medic.gu.se
authors: Mariam
authors: M
authors: Elbornsson
authors: Galina
authors: G
authors: Götherström
authors: Ingvar
authors: I
authors: Bosæus
authors: Bengt-Åke
authors: BÅ
authors: Bengtsson
authors: Gudmundur
authors: G
authors: Johannsson
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Svensson
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I