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GH replacement decreased adipose tissue without severely increasing IGF-1 levels
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Women with growth hormone deficiency experienced decreased total and visceral adipose tissue with low-dose growth hormone replacement.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston conducted a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind, six-month study to determine the efficacy of GH therapy on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in women with GHD.
The study included 43 women with hypopituitarism who were randomly assigned to GH (mean daily dose: 0.67 mg) or placebo.
In the GH group, the mean IGF-1 standard deviation score increased from -2.5±0.3 to -1.4±0.9 (P<.0001 vs. placebo), according to the study. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein decreased in the GH group, compared with placebo (38.2±9.6% vs. 18.2±6.0%; P=.03).
The researchers observed decreases in body fat (GH: -5.1±2.0 vs. 1.9+1.0%; P=.002) and visceral adipose tissue (GH: -9.0±5.9 vs. 4.3+2.7%; P=.03). Percent changes in visceral adipose tissue (R=-0.61; P=.002), total body fat (R=-069; P<.0001) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (R=-0.51; P=.003) were unrelated to changes in IGF-1 levels. – by Stacey L. Adams
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93:2063-2071.