Hormonal Changes in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal- Gonads System in Young Men With Hypothalamic Obesity

Abstract

Purpose of the study -to analyze the frequency and severity of hormonal changes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-gonads system in young men with hypothalamic syndrome and alimentary-constitutional obesity. Materials and methods. We examined 340 males (mean age 21.27±2.44 years). Examined patients were divided into the following groups: Group I -hypothalamic syndrome of the late puberty (n=84); Group II -constitutional-exogenous obesity of the late puberty (n=20); Group III -hypothalamic syndrome of mature age (n=158); Group IV -constitutional-exogenous obesity of mature age (n=78). Results. In groups of patients with hypothalamic syndrome, a higher level of morning cortisol (р<0.05), evening cortisol (р<0.05), prolactin (р<0.05), luteinizing hormone (р<0.05), follicle-stimulating hormone (р<0.05) than in patients with constitutionally-exogenous obesity. In groups of patients with hypothalamic syndrome, lower testosterone levels were recorded than in patients with constitutionally-exogenous obesity (р<0.05). Violation of the daily rhythm of cortisol production was more common in patients with hypothalamic syndrome than in constitutionally-exogenous obesity (р<0.05). In groups of patients with hypothalamic syndrome, the incidence of high prolactin was higher than in groups of patients with constitutionally-exogenous obesity (p<0.05). In groups of patients with signs of hypothalamic syndrome, low testosterone levels were more common than with constitutionally exogenous obesity (p<0.05). Conclusion. The data obtained indicate a higher functional activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and lower functional activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis in patients with hypothalamic syndrome in comparison with patients with constitutionally-exogenous obesity.Keywords: hypothalamus dysfunction, hypothalamic obesity, obesity in adolescents, hormonal disorders in adolescents, hormonal disorders in young men