重组人生长激素治疗儿童特发性矮小症的疗效及对血清Ghrelin和IGF-1水平的影响

目的:探讨重组人生长激素(rhGH)治疗儿童特发性矮小症(ISS)的疗效及对血清饥饿激素(Ghrelin)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)水平的影响。方法:选取2014年1月-2016年8月期间我院收治的ISS患儿114例为研究对象。按照随机数字表法分为实验组(n=57)与对照组(n=57)。其中对照组给予常规治疗,实验组在对照组基础上联合rhGH治疗,两组疗程均为12个月。比较两组患儿的临床疗效,同时观察并对比两组患儿治疗前后血清Ghrelin以及IGF-1水平。结果:治疗后两组患儿身高、生长速率均较治疗前升高,且实验组高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后两组患儿体重、总甲状腺素、骨龄、空腹血糖水平较治疗前比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后两组患儿血清Ghrelin水平较治疗前降低,且实验组低于对照组,血清IGF-1水平较治疗前升高,且实验组高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组不良反应发生率为5.26%,与对照组的0.00%比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:ISS患儿应用rhGH治疗效果满意,可明显改善ISS患儿体内血清IGF-1、Ghrelin水平,安全无副作用,促进患儿健康成长。     

猪下丘脑和垂体中生长激素受体、胰岛素样生长因子1型受体的发育性变化

GH和IGF-1可作用于垂体或/和下丘脑负反馈性地调节垂体GH的分泌,而这种负反馈作用必须通过下丘脑或垂体的GHR和IGF-1R来实现.为研究猪垂体GH分泌负反馈调节的发育性变化和品种特点,分别在0、3、20、30、90、120和180日龄随机选取纯种雄性二花脸猪和大白猪各4头,屠宰并取下丘脑及垂体,用相对定量RT-PCR分析下丘脑和垂体GHR和IGF-1R mRNA水平.结果表明下丘脑GHR mRNA表达呈明显的时序性变化,在0到120日龄期间呈逐渐上升趋势,180日龄时显著下降(P＜0.05),提示在快速生长期,GH负反馈调控机制逐渐加强.下丘脑GHR mRNA表达还表现明显的品种间差异,在0到180日龄期间大白猪均显著高于二花脸猪(P＜0.05);而垂体GHR mRNA表达相对稳定,品种和年龄间差异不显著,提示GH的负反馈作用位点可能主要在下丘脑.IGF-1R与GHR的表达发育模式不同.下丘脑IGF-IR mRNA的表达相对稳定,无显著的年龄、品种间差异;而在垂体,大白猪和二花脸猪IGF-1R mRNA水平在出生时均较高,随后显著下降(P＜0.05),20日龄后逐渐上升至90日龄的较高水平,随后再次下降.大白猪垂体IGF-1 mRNA表达在30日龄和90日龄时显著高于二花脸猪(P＜0.05),而180日龄时二花脸猪垂体IGF-1R mRNA水平却显著高于大白猪(P＜0.05).结果提示,IGF-1长环负反馈作用位点可能不在下丘脑,而主要在垂体.     

生长激素/胰岛素样生长因子1与阿尔茨海默病

生长激素／胰岛素样生长因子-1（GH／IGF-1）轴的合成、分泌、调节及生物学活性与阿尔茨海默病（AD）有密切关系。生长激素（GH）的合成和分泌受生长激素释放激素（GHRH）正向调节。GH／IGF-1轴活性下降导致一系列生理功能变化。GH／IGF-1缺乏可引起衰老及神经退行性变（AD）而导致认知功能的下降,相应激素的补给可以抑制或逆转这种认知障碍。越来越多的证据表明：GH／IGF-1参与AD型痴呆病理过程,对AD有很好的治疗应用前景。本文就生长激素／胰岛素样生长因子1在AD发病中的机理和药理学研究做一综述。     

重组生长激素对猪生长激素受体和胰岛素样生长因子1基因表达及血清瘦蛋白水平的影响

16头长白×大约克去势公猪, 随机分成试验组和对照组, 每天注射重组猪生长激素(rpGH, 每头每天4 mg) 或生理盐水, 28 d后采样. 用RIA法测定血清中胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-Ⅰ)和瘦蛋白含量, 用反转录多聚酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法, 以18S rRNA作内标, 定量分析肝脏、肌肉生长激素受体 (GHR) 和IGF-ⅠmRNA的相对丰度.结果显示: (ⅰ) 试验组平均日增重提高26.1% ( P <0.05); (ⅱ)血清IGF-Ⅰ水平提高70.94% (P<0.01), 血清瘦蛋白降低34.80%(P<0.01); (ⅲ) 肝脏GHR mRNA增加24.45% (P < 0.05), IGF-ⅠmRNA增加45.30% (P<0.01), 背最长肌GHR和IGF-Ⅰ mRNA表达无明显变化. 结果表明, 重组猪生长激素能明显提高生长猪生长性能. 上调肝脏GHR, 促进肝脏产生IGF-Ⅰ, 而对肌肉GHR和IGF-I基因表达无影响, 提示重组GH对基因表达的影响有组织特异性.     

生长激素对实验性坏死性胰腺炎肠道菌易位的影响

目的 :观察生长激素 (GH)对急性坏死性胰腺炎 (ANP)肠道菌易位及内毒素血症的影响。方法 :采用逆行胰胆管注射 5 %牛磺胆酸钠溶液制备雄性SD大鼠ANP模型。将SD大鼠随机分为 :假手术组 (shamoperation ,SO) ;ANP组 ;ANP加GH组 ,予GH(0 .75U/kg ,皮下注射 )治疗 ,术后一天采样。 结果 :(1)SD大鼠长期存活 ,GH组大鼠术后 5d存活率明显高于ANP组 ;(2 )GH组血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶明显低于ANP组 ;(3)GH组腹水、肝脏、肠系膜淋巴结、胰腺细菌培养阳性率明显低于ANP组 ,菌种鉴定主要为肠杆菌 ;(4 )GH治疗可明显减轻胰腺炎性细胞浸润 ,但对胰腺出血、坏死程度无明显影响 ;(5 )GH治疗可明显降低ANP大鼠血清内毒素水平 [(0 .0 4 8± 0 .0 15 )EU/mlvs (0 .0 76± 0 .0 12 )EU/ml,P <0 .0 5 ]。结论 :GH治疗可明显减少ANP大鼠早期肠道细菌易位 ,降低血清内毒素水平 ,改善预后。     

血清Ghrelin、p21 waf/cip1以及IGF-1与儿童特发性矮小症相关性分析

摘要 目的：研究特发性矮小症（ISS）儿童血清生长激素释放肽（Ghrelin）、p21 waf/cip1以及胰岛素生长因子-1（IGF-1）水平及其临床意义。方法：选择2017年1月到2020年12月在我院接受治疗的特发性矮小症儿童60例（ISS组）,选择同期体检健康儿童60例作为对照（对照组）,比较两组儿童一般资料,检测并比较两组儿童血清Ghrelin、p21 waf/cip1以及IGF-1水平。分析ISS儿童血清Ghrelin、p21 waf/cip1以及IGF-1水平与生长指标的相关性,同时分析治疗对其影响。结果：（1）ISS组患儿性别、年龄和体质指数与对照组比较无显著差异（P>0.05）,但身高、体重以及生长速度显著低于对照组儿童（P<0.05）;（2）ISS组患儿血清Ghrelin和p21 waf/cip1均显著高于对照组,而血清IGF-1显著低于对照组（P<0.05）;（3）ISS组患儿血清Ghrelin和p21 waf/cip1均与身高、体重和生长速度呈负相关,而血清IGF-1与身高、体重和生长速度呈正相关（P<0.05）;（4）治疗显著提高ISS组患儿身高、体重、生长速度以及血清IGF-1水平,而显著降低ISS组患儿血清Ghrelin和p21 waf/cip1水平（P<0.05）。结论：Ghrelin、p21 waf/cip1和IGF-1在特发性矮小症患儿血清中表达异常,共同调控儿童生长发育,是评价儿童生长发育的良好指标。     

生长激素对实验大鼠牙齿移动过程中VEGF表达的影响

目的:探讨生长激素(growth hormone,GH)对实验大鼠牙齿移动过程中血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)在牙周组织中表达的影响。方法:将40只7周龄大的雄性Wistar大鼠根据是否注射生长激素分为实验组(E)和对照组(C)。将50 g力值加于近中左侧上颌第一磨牙。E组和C组分别腹部皮下注射GH(0.15IU/公斤/天)及等剂量的生理盐水。大鼠分别在第1、3、7、14和21天处死。上颌第一磨牙及其牙周组织切片行VEGF免疫组织化学染色,并进行图像分析和统计。结果:无论张力侧及压力侧VEGF在实验组表达的量均高于对照组,第3天组中张力侧及压力侧实验组平均光密度值分别为174.47±7.53和345.80±25.46与其各自对照组相比较数据具有统计学意义(P0.05),两侧实验组的VEGF的表达强度峰值均出现在第7天,分别为669.97±3.22和923.77±18.41差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),VEGF表达峰值及峰值之前压力侧无论实验组和对照组VEGF的表达强度要明显高于张力侧相应分组。结论:短期注射生长激素促进了牙周组织中VEGF的表达,对于正畸牙齿移动具有一定的促进作用。     

鲤鱼生长激素在毕赤酵母中的表达

 将编码鲤鱼 (Cyprinuscarpio )生长激素 (GH)成熟肽的cDNA克隆到毕赤酵母 (P .pastoris)胞内表达载体pHIL D2中 ,构建重组表达质粒pHIL D2 GH .转化组氨酸缺陷型酵母GS115,获得表达鲤鱼GH的酵母工程菌 .经甲醇诱导 ,SDS PAGE和Western印迹检测表明 ,鲤鱼GH在酵母中得到表达 ,表达产物在胞内以可溶状态存在 ,具有鲤鱼GH的免疫活性 .用诱导后的酵母投喂罗非鱼 ,实验结果证实所构建的工程菌具有明显的促生长作用     

重组人生长激素对老年男性慢性心力衰竭患者血脂代谢影响的研究

目的：探讨重组人生长激素在治疗老年男性慢性心力衰竭时对血脂代谢的影响。方法：将对87例老年慢性心力衰竭患者随机分别进行常规心力衰竭治疗组（CHF对照组）（n=46）和常规治疗基础上加用生长激素治疗组（CHF实验组）（n=41）及正常对照组（n=10）;均连续治疗3个月,观察治疗前后生长激素（GH）、（胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）、总胆固醇（1℃）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-c）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）等各项指标的变化。结果：治疗前,各组之间GH、IGF-1水平无明显差异。治疗后,CHF实验组患者GH（0．71±0．34／350．96±0．48）、IGF-1（95．64±21．11 vs 111．64±23．14）水平较治疗前明显升高,CHF对照组治疗前后GH（0．81±0．32 vs 0．79±0．29）、IGF-1（97．82±19．74 vs 99．65±20．11）水平无明显差异。治疗后CHF实验组与CHF对照组相比GH（0．96±0．48 vs 0．79±0．29）、IGF-1（111．64±23．14 vs 99．65±20．11）水平显著升高（P〈0．05）。治疗前,3组患者血脂各项指标无明显差异（P〉0．05）,治疗后,CHF实验组LDL-C（2．11±0．82 vs 1．76±0．51）、TC（3．78±1．34 vs 3．21±1．17）水平较治疗前有所下降（P〈0．05）,而HDL-C（1．10±0．31 vs 0．99±0．28）、TG（1．89±1．07 vs 1．66±0．95）水平较治疗前无显著差异（P〉0．05）。然而,CHF对照组治疗前、后相比,LDL-C、HDL-C、TC、TG水平无显著差异（P〉0．05）。结论：应用重组人生长激素治疗老年慢性心力衰竭,GH参与了血脂代谢,可降低LDL-C、TC水平,但对HDL-C、TG水平无明显影响。故在长期应用生长激素时需要关注血脂代谢,及时调整血脂治疗。     

替莫唑胺治疗垂体瘤患者的临床疗效及机制研究

目的:探讨替莫唑胺治疗垂体瘤患者的临床疗效及其机制。方法:选取我院收治的垂体瘤患者70例,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组35例。对照组患者进行显微镜下经鼻蝶窦手术治疗,并给予溴隐亭口服治疗;实验组在对照组治疗基础上联合替莫唑胺胶囊治疗。观察并比较治疗前后两组患者血清泌乳素、IGF-1、GH水平的变化及临床疗效。结果:与治疗前相比,两组患者治疗后的血清PRL、IGF-1、GH、TSH水平均降低,FT4、ACTH水平升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);而与对照组比较,实验组的血清PRL、IGF-1、GH、TSH水平更低,FT4、ACTH水平更高(P0.05)。实验组的治疗总有效率显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:替莫唑胺治疗垂体瘤的临床疗效好,推测其机制与降低血清PRL、IGF-1水平有关。     

Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency: Can a Combined Arginine and Clonidine Stimulation Test Replace 2 Separate Tests?

ObjectiveGiven the large number of false-positive growth hormone deficiency (GHD) diagnoses from a single growth hormone (GH) stimulation test in children, 2 different pharmacologic tests, performed on separate days or sequentially, are required. This study aimed to assess the reliability and safety of a combined arginine-clonidine stimulation test (CACST).MethodsThis was a retrospective, single-center, observational study. During 2017-2019, 515 children aged >8 years underwent GH stimulation tests (CACST: n = 362 or clonidine stimulation test [CST]: n = 153). The main outcome measures used to compare the tests were GH response (sufficiency/deficiency) and amplitude and timing of peak GH and safety parameters.ResultsPopulation characteristics were as follows: median age of 12.2 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 10.7, 13.4), 331 boys (64%), and 282 prepubertal children (54.8%). The GHD rate was comparable with 12.7% for CACST and 14.4% for CST followed by a confirmatory test (glucagon or arginine) (P = .609). Peak GH was higher and occurred later in response to CACST compared with CST (14.6 ng/mL [IQR: 10.6, 19.4] vs 11.4 ng/mL [IQR: 7.0, 15.8], respectively, P < .001; 90 minutes [IQR: 60, 90] vs 60 minutes [IQR: 60, 90], respectively, P < .001). No serious adverse events occurred following CACST.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate the reliability and safety of CACST in detecting GHD in late childhood and adolescence, suggesting that it may replace separate or sequential GH stimulation tests. By diminishing the need for the second GH stimulation test, CACST saves time, is more cost-effective, and reduces discomfort for children, caregivers, and medical staff.     

Differences in serum GH cut-off values for pharmacological tests of GH secretion depend on the serum GH method. Clinical validation from the growth velocity score during the first year of treatment

BACKGROUND: The serum GH cut-off value for pharmacological tests of GH secretion (PhT GH) depends on the type of test and also on the method used for determining serum GH. Cut-off serum GH values as different as 5-10 ng/ml, have been reported, and have been validated biochemically. We have used the growth velocity (GV)-standard deviation score (SDS) during the first year of treatment with rhGH to validate these cut-offs on a biological basis. METHODS: Fifty pre-pubertal patients with short stature (height < or =-2 SDS and GV < or =-1.2 SDS) were studied. GH deficiency (GHD) was diagnosed in 39 patients, on the basis of clinical and auxological parameters and on the serum concentration of IGF-1, and non-GHD in the other 11 patients. Two PhT GH (arginine and clonidine) were carried out in the 50 patients. Serum GH was determined by two different methods: one detecting most of serum GH isoforms, named Total GH (HGH Bio-Tech, MAIA Clone), and another one, only detecting the 22 kDa GH, named 22K GH (GH-22K IFMA, Wallac). RESULTS: Basal data: all patients with GHD and with non-GHD had maximal serum GH response (MaxR) values below and above the cut-off, respectively, for the serum Total GH and 22K GH. The mean 22K GH/Total GH ratio was similar to previous publications. Post-rhGH treatment data: the two groups improved their height SDS during the first year of treatment, particularly patients with GHD. A receiver-operator curve was used to define the best threshold for post-treatment GV-SDS that separates GHD from non-GHD patients. This value was 1.91 GV-SDS. A negative correlation between first year treatment GV-SDS and pre-treatment serum GH MaxR was found for the two assays (p < 0.001). Then, the best cut-off GV-SDS, previously calculated with the receiver-operator curve (1.91 SDS) was used to interpolate the corresponding serum GH values, as determined by the two methods. For Total GH, the value was 10.8 ng/ml, and for 22K GH, it was 5.4 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: The cut-off values calculated by biological means to separate GHD from non-GHD were remarkably similar to those calculated biochemically (10.0 and 4.8 ng/ml, respectively) for Total and 22K GH. This is a biological validation for using different cut-off values, appropriate for each assay, to diagnose GHD.     

Adherence to Growth Hormone Therapy: Results of a Multicenter Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the adherence to growth hormone (GH) therapy and identify the influencing factors and outcomes in children.MethodsA total of 217 GH-naïve patients in 6 pediatric endocrinology clinics were enrolled in the study. Structured questionnaires were filled out and patients were evaluated at the initiation and 3rd, 6th, and 12th months of therapy. Patients were categorized into 4 adherence segments based on percentage of doses omitted at each evaluation period, classified as excellent if 0%, good if 5%, fair if 5 to 10%, and poor if > 10%.Results:There was a decrement in adherence to GH therapy during the study period (P = .006). Patients who showed excellent and good adherence to therapy had better growth velocity and growth velocity standard deviation scores (SDSs) (P = .014 and P = .015, respectively). A negative correlation between growth velocity SDS and number of missed injections was also observed (r = − .412; P = .007). A positive correlation between delta insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) SDS and growth velocity was demonstrated (r = .239; P = .042). IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in patients who showed excellent and good adherence to therapy (P = .01). Adherence was better in boys than in girls (P = .035), but adherence rates were not associated with age, cause of GH treatment, socioeconomic status, person who administered the injections, type of injection device, or GH product.ConclusionPoor adherence to GH therapy was common in our group of patients and was one of the factors underlying suboptimal growth during therapy. Before considering other problems that can affect growth, clinicians should confirm good adherence to therapy. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:46-51)     

Evaluation of cutaneous modifications in seventy-seven growth hormone-deficient children

Cutaneous parameters such as dermal thickness, stiffness, elasticity, skin surface lipid and hydration were evaluated using noninvasive methods in 77 growth hormone-deficient (GHD) children before replacement therapy and in 70 non-GHD children. We showed that in GHD children, dermis was thinner (0.70 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.80 +/- 0.10 mm, p < 0.0001 for prepubertal children and 0.81 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.11 mm, p < 0.0001 for pubertal children), stiffer (178.5 +/- 57.3 vs. 113.09 +/- 37 kPa, p < 0.0001 for prepubertal children and 172.5 +/- 61.7 vs. 117.3 +/- 42.5 kPa for pubertal children, p < 0.001) and less elastic (0.44 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.39 +/- 0.06 (nonelasticity index), p < 0.01 for prepubertal children and 0.39 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.04, p < 0.001 for pubertal children) compared to controls. Fourteen GHD children were re-evaluated after 1 year of GH treatment: dermal thickness and skin stiffness were significantly improved (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 respectively) while elasticity was not modified. During the same period, 11 controls did not show any significant cutaneous modification. IGF-1 values, but not IGFBP-3 values, correlated positively with dermal thickness in GHD children, before and after 1 year of GH treatment. To conclude, GHD children exhibited specific cutaneous modifications. In a subset of GHD children, we showed that these modifications were influenced by GH treatment. More extensive studies are needed to see if these changes correlated with other GH effects.     

Pediatric Continuous Reference Intervals of Serum Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Levels in a Healthy Chinese Children Population – Based on PRINCE Study

ObjectivesWe aimed to establish age- and sex-dependent reference intervals for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) based on the measurements of healthy Chinese children from the pediatric reference intervals in China study and to investigate whether body mass index (BMI) and height affect IGF-1 levels.MethodsA total of 3753 individuals with eligible blood specimens resampled from the pediatric reference intervals in China population were enrolled as reference individuals. IGF-1 levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay kit. The lower limit and upper limit values of the reference individuals were calculated by defining the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. The skewness-median-coefficient of variation method was used to calculate the standard deviation score (SDS) of serum IGF-1, and cubic spline curves were applied to depict a smoothed curve for each age- and sex-specific stratification of the L, M, and S parameters.ResultsSerum IGF-1 levels increased with age from the age of 1 year, peaking at around the age of 13 years in girls and 15 years in boys and then began to decline (both P <.001). Before 14 years, IGF-1 levels were higher in girls than in boys at the same age, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in the IGF-1 levels between girls and boys aged 14 to 16 and 18 years. The Spearman correlation coefficients of height SDS, weight SDS, and BMI SDS with IGF-1 SDS were 0.29, 0.33, and 0.20, respectively (P < .001).ConclusionThis study established age- and sex-specific normative IGF-1 data for Chinese children and adolescents between the ages of 1 and 19 years. The BMI and height SDS had no effect on IGF-1 levels in healthy children.     

Association between Decreased Klotho Blood Levels and Organic Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children with Growth Impairment

Objective

Klotho is an aging-modulating protein expressed mainly in the kidneys and choroid plexus, which can also be shed, released into the circulation and act as a hormone. Klotho deficient mice are smaller compared to their wild-type counterparts and their somatotropes show marked atrophy and reduced number of secretory granules. Recent data also indicated an association between klotho levels and growth hormone (GH) levels in acromegaly. We aimed to study the association between klotho levels and GH deficiency (GHD) in children with growth impairment.

Design

Prospective study comprising 99 children and adolescents (aged 9.0±3.7 years, 49 male) undergoing GH stimulation tests for short stature (height-SDS = −2.1±0.6). Klotho serum levels were measured using an α-klotho ELISA kit.

Results

Klotho levels were significantly lower (p<0.001) among children with organic GHD (n = 11, 727±273 pg/ml) compared to both GH sufficient participants (n = 59, 1497±754 pg/ml) and those with idiopathic GHD (n = 29, 1645±778 pg/ml). The difference between GHS children and children with idiopathic GHD was not significant. Klotho levels positively correlated with IGF-1- standard deviation scores (SDS) (R = 0.45, p<0.001), but were not associated with gender, pubertal status, age or anthropometric measurements.

Conclusions

We have shown, for the first time, an association between low serum klotho levels and organic GHD. If validated by additional studies, serum klotho may serve as novel biomarker of organic GHD.     

Oral clonidine provocative test in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in childhood: should we make the timing uniform?

INTRODUCTION: Oral clonidine is one of the most frequent drugs used for the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), but the duration of the test, depending on which European centres use it, is not uniform and can vary from 120 to 150 min or even 180 min. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To standardize this test, evaluating the possibility to shorten it to 90 min, we investigated the response of GH to the oral clonidine test in 291 children evaluated for short stature (height <-2 SD). Of these, 164 were diagnosed as idiopathic short stature (ISS) and 127 as GHD. In these patients, we calculated: (1) the frequency distribution of the GH peaks to clonidine in GHD and in ISS at various times; (2) the percentage of GH peaks to clonidine before and after 90 min in all and in ISS children; (3) the percentage of the first GH value >or=10 ng/ml before 90 min and after 90 min in ISS. RESULTS: GH peak distribution varied between 30 and 180 min, even though the vast majority of peaks occurred between 30 and 60 min. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the peak distribution between ISS and GHD children. The percentages of GH peaks within 90 min were 92.1% in all children and 95.7% in ISS. If considering the first value of GH >or=10 ng/ml this last percentage reaches 96.3%. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the oral clonidine test can be administered for only 90 min without significantly changing its validity. This test should be standardized at 90 min in European protocols just as in those currently used in the USA in order to reduce the discomfort of patients and the cost of this diagnostic procedure.     

Effect of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy on the Quality of Life In Women with Growth Hormone Deficiency who Have A History of Acromegaly Versus Other Disorders

ObjectiveTo compare the response in quality of life (QoL) to growth hormone (GH) replacement in women with GH deficiency (GHD) and a history of acromegaly with that in women with GHD of other causes.MethodsFifty-five women with GHD were studied: 17 with prior acromegaly and 38 with other causes of GHD. We compared two 6-month, randomized, placebo controlled studies of GH therapy in women with hypopituitarism conducted with use of the same design—one in women with a history of acromegaly and one in women with no prior acromegaly. QoL was assessed with the following questionnaires: the QoL-Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (AGHDA), the Symptom Questionnaire, and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).ResultsThe 2 groups had comparable mean pretreatment age, body mass index, and QoL scores and comparable mean GH dose at 6 months (0.61 ± 0.30 versus 0.67 ± 0.27 mg daily). After 6 months of GH replacement therapy, women with GHD and prior acromegaly demonstrated a greater improvement in AGHDA score, four SF-36 subscales (Role Limitations due to Physical Health, Energy or Fatigue, Emotional Well-Being, and Social Functioning), and the Somatic Symptoms subscale of the Symptom Questionnaire than did women with GHD of other causes. Poorer pretreatment QoL was associated with a greater improvement in QoL after administration of GH.ConclusionIn this study, GH replacement therapy improved QoL in women with GHD and a history of acromegaly but not in women with GHD due to other hypothalamic and pituitary disorders. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term risks versus benefits of GH replacement in patients who develop GHD after definitive treatment for acromegaly. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:209-218)     

Association of Daily Growth Hormone Injection Adherence and Height Among Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency

ObjectiveRecombinant human growth hormone (somatropin) is recommended for children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) to normalize adult height. Prior research has indicated an association between adherence to somatropin and height velocity. Further research is needed using real-world data to quantify this relationship; hence the objective of this study was to investigate the association between adherence to somatropin and change in height among children with GHD.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients in the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus and Ambulatory Electronic Medical Records databases aged 3 to 15 years, with ≥1 GHD diagnosis code claim and newly initiated on somatropin between January 1, 2007 and November 30, 2019. Adherence was measured over the follow-up using the medication possession ratio (MPR); patients were classified as adherent (MPR ≥ 0.8) or nonadherent (MPR < 0.8).ResultsAmong 201 patients initiated on somatropin, 74.6% were male, mean age was 11.4 years, and the mean follow-up was 343.3 days. Approximately 76.6% of patients were adherent to somatropin over the follow-up period. Adjusted growth trajectories were similar between adherent and nonadherent patients pre-treatment initiation (P = .15). Growth trajectories post-initiation were significantly different (P = .001). On average, adherent patients gained an additional 1.8 cm over 1 year compared with nonadherent patients, adjusted for covariates.ConclusionGreater adherence to somatropin therapy is associated with improved height velocity. As suboptimal adherence to daily somatropin therapy is an issue for children with GHD, novel strategies to improve adherence may improve growth outcomes.     

Growth hormone treatment downregulates serum leptin levels in children independent of changes in body mass index

The changes in serum leptin levels during growth hormone (GH) treatment were studied in 27 children, 17 with GH deficiency (GHD), 10 with idiopathic short stature (ISS), and 9 with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Within 1 month of GH treatment, serum leptin levels decreased by 40% in the GHD children (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in serum leptin level in the children with ISS. In children with PWS, the mean serum leptin level decreased by almost 60% after 3 months of treatment (p < 0.001). Thereafter, no further decline was observed in any of the 3 groups. Changes in body composition became evident first after the 3 months of treatment. In the GHD children, the BMI was unchanged while the mean body fat percentage was 2.7% lower after 1 year of GH treatment (p < 0.05). In the ISS children, neither BMI nor body fat percentage were significantly changed during treatment. The PWS children exhibited a significant decrease in BMI after 6 months of GH treatment without any further change during the remaining period of treatment. In this group, the mean body fat percentage decreased from 42 +/- 2.4 to 28 +/- 2.2% after treatment (p < 0.001). The finding that the fall in leptin occurs before changes in body composition become detectable suggests a direct effect of GH on leptin production, metabolism, or clearance.