Lower growth hormone and higher cortisol are associated with greater visceral adiposity, intramyocellular lipids, and insulin resistance in overweight girls

Abstract

A. Lower growth hormone and higher cortisol are associated with greater visceral adiposity, intramyocellular lipids, and insulin resistance in overweight girls. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 295: E385-E392, 2008. First published June 10, 2008 doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00052.2008.-Although body composition, insulin sensitivity, and lipids are markedly altered in overweight adolescents, hormonal associations with these parameters have not been well characterized. Growth hormone (GH) deficiency and hypercortisolemia predispose to abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance, and GH secretion is decreased in obese adults. We hypothesized that low-peak GH on the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-arginine stimulation test and high cortisol in overweight adolescents would be associated with higher regional fat, insulin resistance, and lipids. We examined the following parameters in 15 overweight and 15 bone age-matched control 12-to 18-yr-old girls: 1) body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and MR [visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue at L4-L5 and soleus intramyocellular lipid ( 1 H-MR spectroscopy)], 2) peak GH on the GHRH-arginine stimulation test, 3) mean overnight GH and cortisol, 4) 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC), 5) fasting lipids, and 6) an oral glucose tolerance test. Stepwise regression was the major tool employed to determine relationships between measured parameters. Log peak GH on the GHRH-arginine test was lower (P ϭ 0.03) and log UFC was higher (P ϭ 0.02) in overweight girls. Log mean cortisol (overnight sampling) was associated positively with subcutaneous adipose tissue and, with body mass index standard deviation score, accounted for 92% of its variability, whereas log peak GH and body mass index standard deviation score accounted for 88% of visceral adipose tissue variability and log peak GH for 34% of the intramyocellular lipid variability. Log mean cortisol was independently associated with log homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, LDL, and HDL and explained 49 -59% of the variability. Our data indicate that lower peak GH and higher UFC in overweight girls are associated with visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, and lipids. obesity; body composition; homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; lipids OBESITY IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM, and, according to recent estimates, 17% of US children and adolescents are overweight [body mass index (BMI) Ͼ95th percentile] and 16.5% are at risk for overweight (BMI between 85th and 95th percentiles) (11,19). Commensurate with the rising prevalence of overweight, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing, such that up to 30 -50% of all newly diagnosed children with diabetes are classified as having type 2 diabetes, in contrast to Ͻ5% before 1994 (13, 23). Although body composition and lipid profiles are markedly altered in overweight compared with normal-weight adolescents, associations of hormonal alterations with body composition and insulin sensitivity changes in overweight teenagers have not been well characterized.Disorders r...

EFFECT OF <i>CATHA EDULIS</i> ON INSULIN, RESISTIN AND CORTISOL LEVELS IN TYPE-2 DIABETICS AND NON-DIABETICS

“…This finding is in agreement with Gharibeh et al Khat main constituent cathinone is structurally similar to nor-ephedrine and has a similar mechanism of action like amphetamine, through releasing catecholamine from pre-synaptic storage sites; its blood peak is reached up to 2 h after commencement of khat chewing. It increases ACTH hormone levels through stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors by its amphetamine-like effect and inhibits insulin release due to induced nor-adrenaline and activation of pancreatic α2-adrenoceptors by the released catecholamine (Nencini and Resistin has a role in mediating hepatic or skeletal muscle insulin resistance, impair insulin signalling and/or glucose metabolism; its expression is regulated by a variety of hormones including, tumor necrosis factor and epinephrine and its level up-regulated by nor-epinephrine release resulted from khat chewing Khat chewing has an important effect on carbohydrate metabolism through an increased cortisol levels were leading to a reduced insulin secretion and insulin resistance through induced upregulation of resistin expression (Shojima et al, 2002;Misra et al, 2008) and cathinone-induced catecholamines secretion; which would increase blood glucose levels by activation of glycogenolysis in skeletal muscles and the liver; a β2-adrenoceptormediated response (Al-Motarreb et al, 2010).…”

“…In addition, an increased cortisol levels are also associated with insulin resistance (Misra et al, 2008). Several micronutrients have beneficial effects in healthy subjects and in diabetes.…”

Regulation of Glucocorticoid Receptor Signaling and the Diabetogenic Effects of Glucocorticoid Excess

“…Although cortisol plasma levels are slightly elevated in patients with the metabolic syndrome or in obese subjects of cortisol (Phillips et al, 1998;Duclos et al, 2005;Misra et al, 2008;Sen et al, 2008;Weigensberg et al, 2008) they are within the normal range (Walker, 2006). This would imply that tissue-specific expression levels 11-HSD1 and 11-HSD2 are determinants of the local cellular concentration of active steroid that can influence the metabolic effects of GC.…”

11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 and the Metabolic Syndrome

“…Wang, 2011). It has been demonstrated that circulating cortisol concentrations are higher in patients with MetSyn compared with healthy subjects, both in basal conditions and during dynamic stimulation (Duclos et al, 2005;Misra et al, 2008;Phillips et al, 1998;Sen et al, 2008;Weigensberg et al, 2008). Furthermore, increased 11 -HSD1 activity in VAT may generate increased cortisol levels within AT and liver and thereby promote features of the MetSyn (Walker & Andrew, 2006).…”