Effects of growth hormone administration on inflammatory and other cardiovascular risk markers in men with growth hormone deficiency - A randomized, controlled clinical trial
G. Sesmilo et al., Effects of growth hormone administration on inflammatory and other cardiovascular risk markers in men with growth hormone deficiency - A randomized, controlled clinical trial, ANN INT MED, 133(2), 2000, pp. 111-122
Citations number
67
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine","Medical Research General Topics
Background: Growth hormone-deficient adults have increased cardiovascular m
ortality. Growth hormone replacement may affect cardiovascular risk. Inflam
mation plays an important role in atherosclerosis, and inflammatory markers
are predictive of cardiovascular events.
Objective: To investigate the effect of growth hormone replacement on infla
mmatory and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Design: Randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Patients: 40 men with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency.
Intervention: Growth hormone or placebo given for 18 months at a dose adjus
ted for normal serum insulin-like growth factor I level.
Measurements: Anthropometric, hemoglobin A(1c), and central fat values were
assessed every 6 months. Levels of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth f
actor I, and lipids were measured at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. C-reactive
protein, serum amyloid polypeptide A, interleukin-6, and lipoprotein(a) le
vels were determined at baseline and 6 and 18 months.
Results: C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels decreased in growth ho
rmone recipients compared with placebo recipients (differences between grou
ps, -1.9+/-0.6 mg/L [P=0.0027] and -1.3+/-0.5 ng/L [P=0.013], respectively)
. Changes in serum amyloid polypeptide A levels between groups did not reac
h statistical significance (difference between groups, -2.4+/-1.2 mg/L; P =
0.056). Serum cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol leve
ls, and ratios of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
decreased in growth hormone recipients in the first 3 months compared with
placebo recipients (differences between groups, -0.86 +/- 0.17 mmol/L [-33
.2 +/- 6.6 mg/dL] [P < 0.001], -0.63 +/- 0.20 mmol/L [-24.5 +/- 5.9 mg/dL]
[P < 0.001], and -0.56 +/- 0.26 [P = 0.040], respectively), but the decreas
e was not maintained from month 6 to month 18. Lipoprotein(a) levels increa
sed (difference between groups, 22.0 +/- 8.0 mg/L; P = 0.0096). Short-term
increases occurred in glucose levels, insulin levels, and insulin-to-glucos
e ratios (differences between groups, 0.54 +/- 0.16 mmol/L [9.6 +/- 2.8 mg/
dL] [P = 0.0018], 37.9 +/- 9.6 pmol/L [P < 0.001], and 6.0 +/- 1.8 [P = 0.0
025], respectively), but only the increase in glucose level was maintained
over the long term (difference between groups, 0.56 +/- 0.17 mmol/L [10.0 /- 3.1 mg/dL]; P = 0.0026). Hemoglobin A,, values did not change. Truncal f
at-to-total fat ratios decreased (difference between groups, -0.018 +/- 0.0
07; P = 0.0087),
Conclusions: Long-term growth hormone replacement in men reduces levels of
inflammatory cardiovascular risk markers, decreases central fat, and increa
ses lipoprotein(a) and glucose levels without affecting lipid levels.