We evaluated growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) activity in a group
of obese children (12 boys and 12 girls, age 3.1-14.7 years, BMI 21.1
-33.3, 11 prepubertal and 13 early pubertal) and in 26 age-matched nor
mal weight children (14 boys and 12 girls, age 2.1-16.0 years, BMI 14.
2-21.4, 18 prepubertal and 8 early pubertal). All children were of nor
mal stature. GHBP activity was significantly higher in the obese (39.1
+/-1.1%) than in the control children (28.3+/-1.0%, p<0.0001). Mean se
rum GHBP was not different between boys and girls or between prepubert
al and pubertal subjects. A positive correlation was found between BMI
and GHBP levels only in the normal weight children (r=0.425, p<0.05).
Baseline insulin concentrations in the obese children were 97.6+/-7.9
pmol/l (normal values, 45.0+/-18.6 pmol/l), and the mean insulin AUC
following OGTT in the obese was 811.3+/-160.7 pmol/l (normal values, 3
73.1+/-150.1 pmol/l). Serum GHBP activity in the obese was not correla
ted with baseline serum insulin concentrations or with the insulin AUC
following OGTT. In conclusion, we found that obese children have elev
ated GHBP activity, and speculate that this phenomenon may serve to co
mpensate for their reduced GH secretion and accelerated GH clearance.
(J. Endocrinol. Invest. 21: 441-444, 1998) (C) 1998, Editrice Kurtis.