BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF GROWTH HORMONE TREATMENT IN GH-DEFICIENT ADULTS

摘要: Abstract A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study on the effects of 4 months' growth hormone (GH) treatment was carried out in 22 GH-deficient adults (8 women, 14 men; mean [SEM] age 23·8 [1·2] years). 1 patient withdrawn because oedema. Mean total body weight other 21 did not change, whereas muscle volume thigh, estimated by computerised tomography (CT), significantly higher after GH than placebo (70·0 [3·7] vs 66·3 [3·1] ml/0·8 cm cross-sectional slice). The adipose tissue thigh and subscapular skinfold thickness fell during treatment. Growth caused a small increase isometric strength quadriceps muscles significant rise exercise capacity (60·8 [7·2] 54·2 [6·6] kJ). heart rate both at rest maximum low period increased Blood pressure echocardiographic wall mass left ventricle change study. glomerular filtration renal plasma flow from subnormal level to comparable with that an age-matched control group. fraction change. Urinary albumin excretion normal range affected Finally, normalised circulating levels insulin-like factor (IGF-1), which were (96 [9] μg/l placebo; 224 [28] GH). These findings suggest GH, conventional replacement dose, has several potentially beneficial therefore encourage future long-term trials.