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Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Functional Interrogation of Adult Hypothalamic Neurogenesis with Focal Radiological Inhibition
Published on: November 14, 2013
Growth hormone and changes in energy balance in growth hormone deficient adults
D Deepak1, C Daousi, E Boyland
1Clinical Sciences Centre, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK. d_sdeepak@hotmail.com
Background:
Adults with growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) have an adverse body composition with an increased prevalence of obesity. It is not known whether growth hormone replacement (GHR) results in alterations in energy intake (EI) and/or energy expenditure (EE). The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of GHR on EI and EE.
Materials And Methods:
Nineteen hypopituitary adults (14 males, 5 females, mean age 46.2 years) with severe GHD (peak GH response to glucagon
Results:
GHR nearly doubled voluntary physical activity (mean activity units 3319 vs. 1881, P = 0.007) and improved quality of life score (mean score 9.1 vs. 16.5, P < 0.0001). Subjects reported higher fasting hunger ratings (mean 64.8 vs. 49.6, P = 0.02) but ad libitum energy intake remained unchanged. Eating behavioural traits were favourably altered with lower disinhibition (mean 6.0 vs. 7.2, P = 0.02) and lower susceptibility to hunger ratings (4.6 vs. 6.8, P = 0.001) after GHR. Additionally, GHR did not result in significant changes in resting EE, body weight and body mass index.
Conclusions:
GHR in AGHD significantly improves voluntary physical activity and quality of life. Following GHR, subjects experience greater 'state' (physiological) hunger, reductions in eating disinhibition and hunger susceptibility, but no effects on calorie intake or macronutrient choice were detected.
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