GROWTH-HORMONE SUBSTITUTION IN GROWTH HORMONE-DEFICIENT ADULTS - EFFECTS ON COLLAGEN TYPE-I SYNTHESIS AND SKIN THICKNESS

Growth hormone stimulates collagen type I synthesis. Collagen type I i s a common matrix compound in a large number of connective tissues. Th e aim of our study was to prove whether a stimulation of collagen type I synthesis might be accompanied by a deposition of collagen type I i n the skin (cutis). Twenty growth hormone-deficient hypopituitary pati ents were included in a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, prospective, twelve-month study (eighteen patients assessable at the e nd of the study). The patients were treated with recombinant human gro wth hormone 0.25 U/kg/week subdivided in daily subcutaneous injections beginning with half the dosage during the first four weeks. During th e first six months half of the patients were treated with placebo. PIC P, the indicator of collagen type I synthesis, was increased after six months of therapy when compared to placebo. Skin thickness measured b y ultrasound at the forearm and mechanically at the dorsum of the hand with strong compression of the skin both increased significantly foll owing growth hormone substitution. Our data indicate that the stimulat ion of collagen type I synthesis by growth hormone substitution is fol lowed by a deposition of collagen type I in the skin.