Reduced Growth Hormone Secretion is Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children
Shuang Liang1, Zhen Yu2, Xiaobo Song3
1Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong, China.
Insights
Obese children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) show reduced growth hormone (GH) secretion. Lower peak GH levels are linked to NAFLD, indicating a potential role for GH in pediatric liver health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Hepatology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is prevalent in obese children.
- Growth hormone (GH) deficiency can impact metabolic health.
- The relationship between GH secretion and NAFLD in pediatric obesity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between arginine-levodopa-stimulated GH secretion and NAFLD in obese children.
- To compare GH secretion and related biomarkers between obese children with and without NAFLD.
Main Methods:
- Study included 84 obese children and 43 normal-weight controls.
- Participants underwent clinical, anthropometric, laboratory, and liver ultrasonography assessments.
- Arginine-levodopa stimulation test was used to measure GH secretion.
Main Results:
- Obese children had significantly lower peak GH and IGF-1 compared to controls.
- Children with NAFLD exhibited significantly lower peak GH and IGF-1 than non-NAFLD obese children.
- Peak GH after stimulation was inversely associated with NAFLD, while BMI was positively associated.
Conclusions:
- A significant inverse relationship exists between NAFLD and GH response to stimulation in obese children.
- Lower GH secretion may be a contributing factor or marker in pediatric NAFLD.
- These findings highlight the interplay between GH, obesity, and liver health in children.
Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between arginine-levodopa-induced growth hormone (GH) secretion and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children. This study includes a total of 84 obese and 43 normal weight children. The obese subjects are divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of NAFLD. Clinical examination, anthropometric and laboratory examinations, and liver ultrasonography are assessed for all participants. The obese group had significantly lower peak stimulated GH (p<0.001) and lower insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (p<0.001) compared with the control group. Children with NAFLD had significantly lower peak stimulated GH (p<0.001) and lower IGF-1 (p=0.022) compared with non-NAFLD group. Results from logistic regression model showed that only peak GH after stimulation test was inversely associated with NAFLD (p=0.015), while body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with NAFLD (p=0.03). Among 84 obese children and adolescents, peak stimulated GH was negatively associated with alanine aminotransferase (r=-0.394, p<0.001), BMI (r=-0.571, p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (r=-0.223, p=0.041), diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.272, p=0.012), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r=-0.369, p=0.001), insulin (r=-0.382, p<0.001), and positively associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.275, p=0.011). Our study confirms a significant inverse relationship between NAFLD and GH response to standard stimulation testing in obese children without known hypothalamic/pituitary disease.
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