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Modulating effect of human growth hormone on tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta
M Bozzola1, M De Amici, M Zecca
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Pavia, Italy.
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) modulates tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) release in children with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD). GH injections increased these inflammatory markers, suggesting a role for GH in immune modulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) may have altered immune profiles.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) are key inflammatory cytokines.
- The relationship between growth hormone (GH) and these cytokines in GHD is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of the first growth hormone (GH) injection on serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in children with GHD.
- To examine the correlation between basal GH levels and serum TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in GHD patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 15 children with GHD (aged 5.1-13.9 years) before, and 4 and 24 hours after the first GH injection (0.1 IU/kg s.c.).
- Concentrations of GH, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta were measured.
- Basal levels were compared to sex- and age-matched controls.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in basal TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were observed between GHD children and controls.
- Serum TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels significantly increased 4 hours after GH administration in GHD children (P < 0.002).
- GH levels also significantly increased 4 hours post-injection (P < 0.001), with a positive correlation found between basal GH and basal TNF-alpha/IL-1beta.
Conclusions:
- Growth hormone (GH) appears to play a role in modulating the release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in humans.
- The acute administration of GH influences inflammatory cytokine levels in children with GHD.
Abstract:
We measured serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as well as interleukin-1betta (IL-1beta) and GH concentrations in 15 children with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD), age range 5.1-13.9 years, before and 4 and 24h after the first GH injection (0.1 IU/kg s.c.). No differences were found in basal concentrations of serum TNF-alpha and IL-1beta between GHD children (10.01 +/- 1.55 pg/ml and 2.14 +/- .16 ng/ml respectively) and sex- and age-matched controls (11.57 +/- 2.16 pg/ml and 3.78 +/- 1.46 ng/ml respectively). In GHD children, serum TNF-alpha and IL-1beta values had significantly increased (P < 0.002) 4h (26.75 +/- 5.57 pg/ml and 2.99 +/- 0.21 ng/ml respectively) and decreased again 24 h after GH administration. Likewise, serum GH levels had significantly increased 4 h (from 1.29 +/- 0.69 to 48.71 +/- 13.35 ng/ml, P < 0.001) and decreased to basal values 24h after GH administration. A significant correlation was found between basal serum concentrations of GH and those of both TNF-alpha (P < 0.01) and IL-1beta (P < 0.05). However, no correlation was found between serum GH concentration and either TNF-alpha or IL-1beta levels 4 and 24h after GH administration. Our data suggest that GH plays a role in modulating TNF-alpha and IL-1beta release in humans.