The GH/IGF-1 Axis in Obesity: Physiological and Pathological Aspects

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome, characterized by abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension, is a growing global health concern.
• Adults with severe growth hormone (GH) deficiency often exhibit metabolic syndrome features, with an inverse relationship between visceral fat and GH secretion.
• The pathophysiological mechanisms linking hyposomatotropism and abdominal obesity to metabolic consequences remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on the GH-IGF-1 axis in abdominal obesity.
• To explore the potential impact of GH-IGF-1 axis alterations on metabolic syndrome features.
• To elucidate the role of GH deficiency in the development of metabolic syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating the GH-IGF-1 axis.
• Analysis of associations between GH secretion, abdominal obesity, and metabolic risk factors.
• Synthesis of current understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Adults with severe GH deficiency display features of metabolic syndrome.
• A strong inverse association exists between visceral fat accumulation and GH secretion in adults.
• Hyposomatotropism in abdominal obesity is implicated in its metabolic consequences.

Conclusions:

• Alterations in the GH-IGF-1 axis are relevant to abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Understanding these mechanisms is vital for addressing the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM).
• Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying pathophysiology.