Effects of growth hormone therapy on metabolic parameters, adipokine and endothelial dysfunction in prepuberal...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Growth Hormone Therapy

Background:

• Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in non-obese prepubertal children can impact metabolic health.
• Understanding lipid metabolism and adipokine profiles is crucial for managing GHD.
• Short-term effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment on these parameters require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate lipid metabolism and adipokine alterations in non-obese prepubertal children with GHD.
• To evaluate the short-term impact of GH replacement therapy on these metabolic parameters.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, observational, case-control study involving 36 children with GHD and 38 healthy controls over six months.
• Analysis included lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin, adiponectin, and sICAM-1.
• Comparison of baseline GHD values with controls and post-treatment GHD values.

Main Results:

• Children with GHD exhibited higher total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo B, and sICAM-1, but lower free fatty acids, insulin, and HOMA-IR at baseline.
• Six months of GH treatment led to decreased levels of cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Apo B, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio, insulin, HOMA-IR, and leptin.
• Significant correlations were found between changes in insulin, HOMA-IR, adiponectin, and lipid parameters (HDL cholesterol, Apo A1, triglycerides).

Conclusions:

• Non-obese prepubertal children with GHD demonstrate dysregulated lipid profiles and adipokine levels.
• GH replacement therapy effectively improves these altered metabolic variables in the short term.