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Inflammatory markers in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome before and during 12 months growth hormone treatment
1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. charlotte.hoybye@karolinska.se
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) treatment did not significantly reduce elevated inflammatory markers in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). This suggests chronic inflammation may contribute to cardiovascular risks in PWS patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is associated with obesity and partial growth hormone (GH) deficiency.
- Individuals with PWS face increased risks of cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality.
- Inflammatory markers were examined in adult PWS patients before and during GH therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of GH treatment on inflammatory markers in adult PWS patients.
- To explore potential links between inflammation, body composition, and metabolic parameters in PWS.
Main Methods:
- Twelve adult PWS patients (median age 23.5 years, median BMI 33.8 kg/m2) were enrolled.
- Serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and other metabolic markers were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of GH treatment.
- Body composition was assessed throughout the study.
Main Results:
- Baseline levels of interleukin-6 and hsCRP were elevated in PWS patients compared to normal values.
- No significant correlations were found between inflammatory markers and age, anthropometry, body composition, or metabolic parameters at baseline, except for TNF-alpha with body weight and hsCRP with BMI.
- GH treatment resulted in non-significant decreases in inflammatory marker levels.
Conclusions:
- Elevated levels of interleukin-6 and hsCRP were observed in adult PWS patients.
- GH intervention did not significantly reduce these inflammatory markers in this pilot study.
- Chronic inflammation may play a role in the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with PWS.
Background:
In Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) obesity and partial growth hormone (GH) deficiency are frequently observed. The risks of cardiovascular diseases and early death are increased. We examined inflammatory markers in adult PWS, before and during 12 months of GH treatment.
Method:
Twelve PWS adults, median age 23.5 years (17-37) and median BMI 33.8 kg/m2 (21.2-50.4), participated. Serum interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, high sensitive protein C-reactive protein (HCRP), cholesterol, triglycerides, leptin, adiponectin, glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I and body composition were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of GH treatment.
Results:
Median and range at baseline for interleukin-6 was 9.87 ng/l (1.76-10.72), for tumour necrosis factor alpha 2.39 ng/l (1.00-3.26) and for HCRP 7.64 mg/l (0.41-41.1) (normal values < 5 ng/l, < 8 ng/l and<5 mg/l, respectively). At baseline correlations between inflammatory markers and age, anthropometry, body composition and the metabolic parameters were non-significant; only positive associations were found between tumour necrosis factor alpha and body weight (r = 0.617, p = 0.033) and between HCRP and BMI (r = 0.594, p = 0.041). GH treatment non-significantly decreased the levels of the inflammatory markers.
Conclusion:
In this pilot study, levels of interleukin-6 and HCRP were increased, and GH intervention did not significantly reduce the levels. Chronic inflammation might contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in PWS.
