Growth hormone deficiency coupled with hypogonadism in AIDS

Abstract

Both growth hormone and sex steroid deficiencies are known to affect quality of life adversely. Hypogonadism is not infrequent in patients with AIDS and due mostly to hypothalamic or end-organ failure. The prevalence of GH deficiency is unknown. We report two cases of GH deficiency in AIDS, one of which was associated with gonadotroph failure. The significance of GH deficiency in HIV infection in terms of its potential effects on disease progression is discussed. Further studies are required to assess the prevalence of GH deficiency and to clarify its role in the immunopathogenesis of AIDS.

HIV gp120 inhibits the somatotropic axis: A possible GH-releasing hormone receptor mechanism for the pathogenesis of AIDS wasting

“…Several hormonal and metabolic disturbances have been described in HIV-1 infection, one of the most important of which is the wasting syndrome (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12), in which adults experience weight loss and children exhibit developmental retardation. Depletion of lean body mass is most profound in the acutely ill patient with active secondary infection (7)(8)(9)(10).…”

“…A recent study of growth and development in hemophiliac males shows that diminished growth velocity and growth hormone levels are common in HIV-infected boys, that these diminutions occur early, and that they precede immunological compromise (16). GH deficiency has also been observed in HIV-1-infected adults (5)(6)(7). Deficiencies in GH and IGF-I levels have been seen at all clinical and immunologic stages of disease, but are most prominent in advanced cases (4).…”