Evaluation of Epigenetic Age Acceleration in Growth Hormone (GH)-Deficient Children After 6 Months of Recombinant Human GH Replacement Therapy: Anti-Ageing GH vs. Pro-Ageing Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1)?

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Epigenetics
• Aging Research

Background:

• The impact of growth hormone (somatotropin) levels on lifespan remains debated due to conflicting study results.
• Biological age, a measure of lifespan, can be assessed via epigenetic modifications in DNA.
• Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and its treatment effects on aging are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate biological (epigenetic) age and age acceleration in GHD children treated with recombinant human GH (rhGH).
• To determine the effect of rhGH therapy on epigenetic aging markers in pediatric GHD.

Main Methods:

• Epigenetic age was assessed in a cohort of GHD children before and after 6 months of rhGH treatment.
• Chronological age, height velocity, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were monitored.
• Statistical analyses, including linear regression, were used to analyze age acceleration and IGF-1 association.

Main Results:

• rhGH treatment significantly increased height velocity and IGF-1 levels.
• A significant correlation was observed between biological and chronological age at baseline and post-treatment.
• rhGH treatment reduced age acceleration, with significance achieved after adjusting for IGF-1 levels.

Conclusions:

• rhGH administration in GHD children demonstrates anti-aging properties.
• The anti-aging effects of rhGH become evident when the pro-aging influence of IGF-1 is considered.
• Epigenetic age acceleration may serve as a biomarker for assessing the long-term impact of GH therapy.