The effect of Growth Hormone replacement therapy on Lipid Metabolism in Georgian patients with Growth Hormone Deficiency

Abstract

Introduction: Recently, Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) has become one of the reasons of significant metabolic and psychological morbidity in children and adults. The aim of our study was to find out the impact of GH replacement therapy on lipid profile in Georgian patients with GHD, which was caused by surgical resection. Design: Double Blind placebo controlled study for 12 months and an open study for another 12 months. Patients and Methods: 20 Georgian adults, aged 40.75±2.2 years (mean ± SE, range 20.5-60), with adult onset GH deficiency were enrolled in the study. The patients were selected from the basis of National Institute of Endocrinology. We set the inclusive and exclusive criteria to study these patients, who needed the growth hormone replacement therapy. We collected standardized information about central and peripheral hormones, metabolic activity and physical features. Results: after 12 months of GH replacement, there was no significant improvement of lipid profile in the GH deficient patients. After 24 months of the treatment, the study showed the upward trend of Triglycerides, Total cholesterol and HDL-CH, and a decrease of LDL-CH. Conclusion: The response of lipid profile to the 12 and 24 months of GH replacement in patients with GH deficiency was disappointing. The results significantly differ from the ones, provided by the European Endocrine societies. Thus, longer-term studies are required, in order to investigate accurately the whole lipid profile among our patients for the following years.

Major predictors of growth hormone and cardiovascular risk: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In recent years, research on atherosclerotic disease has focused mainly on changes in the lipid profile, since large studies have shown a correlation between dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease. 4,5 The Framingham study, conducted with about 5,000 residents of this community in Massachusetts, showed a increased risk of higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower HDL. Once this correlation has been demonstrated, several studies have succeeded, confirming the hypothesis that it is possible to control cardiovascular events by normalizing cholesterol levels.…”