Luciana Diniz Carneiro Spina

Glucose Metabolism and Visceral Fat in GH Deficient Adults: Two Years of GH-Replacement

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 24 months of growth hormone (GH) replacement on glucose metabolism and visceral fat in 17 adults with GH deficiency: 9 men and 8 women; age 40 ± 1.8 yr. [range 20–61] and body mass index 25 ± 0.8 Kg/m2.Glucose metabolism was evaluated by a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance index and by the insulin sensitivity index (ISI)-composite derived from the OGTT. Visceral fat was evaluated by CT scan.Twenty-four months of GH replacement induced an increase in the prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance, with significant progressive increment in 2h-OGTT insulin levels at 3, 12 and 24 months (p = 0.005). Plasma glucose levels and ISI-composite did not alter during the study. HOMA-IR index increased only in the group of patients (n = 8) who had abnormal OGTT at 24 months (p = 0.012). Visceral fat reduced at month 12 and remained decreased until the end of the study (p = 0.009).In conclusion, the present study suggests that adults with GH deficiency after twenty-four months of GH replacement developed abnormal glucose tolerance, probably due to an increase in insulin resistance, associated with higher insulin levels, despite favorable alterations in body composition.

Growth hormone secretion in response to glucagon stimulation test in healthy middle-aged men.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the growth hormone (GH) response to glucagon stimulation test (GST) in a population of healthy men over 50 years old in comparison to insulin tolerance test (ITT), analysis of the spontaneous 24-hour GH profile and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I). METHODS 27 healthy men aged between 51 and 65 years were tested. RESULTS Using non-parametric correlation analysis, a positive correlation between GH peak after GST and mean IGF-I (r = 0.528; p = 0.005) was found, as well with GH peak in 24-hour profile (r = 0.494; p = 0.009). No correlation was found comparing GH peak after ITT with the same parameters. Ten subjects presented GH peak of less than 3.0 microg/L after GST, none confirmed in ITT. CONCLUSIONS GH peak response to GST was lower than ITT, but it showed a positive correlation with mean IGF-I and also with GH peak in 24-hour profile. However, GST should not be used to differentiate organic growth hormone deficiency (GDH) from the expected decline on GH secretion due to aging.

Comparison of two dose regimens of growth hormone (GH) with different target IGF-1 levels on glucose metabolism, lipid profile, cardiovascular function and anthropometric parameters in gh-deficient adults.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of two regimens of GH therapy with different target IGF-1 levels on anthropometric parameters, glucose metabolism, lipid profile and cardiac function in adults with GH deficiency (GHD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective analysis of 14 GHD adults from Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who were treated with a GH regimen aimed at maintaining serum IGF-1 levels between the median and upper reference limit (high dose group - HDGH) and 18 GHD adults from Federal University Hospital, Curitiba, Brazil, who received a fixed GH dose of 0.2mg/day in the first year of treatment, followed by titration to maintain serum IGF-1 levels between the median and lower reference limit (low dose group - LDGH). All patients were followed for 2 years with analysis of anthropometric parameters, serum levels of IGF-1, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, and transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS Changes on weight, BMI and waist circumference were similar between the two groups. Insulin levels increased and HOMA-IR worsened in the LDGH group at 1year and improved thereafter. Total cholesterol and triglycerides did not change with therapy. LDL cholesterol reduced in both groups, while HDL-cholesterol significantly increased only in the HDGH group (p=0.007 vs LDGH). No significant variations on echocardiographic parameters were observed. CONCLUSION The HDGH and LDGH regimens resulted in similar changes on anthropometric, echocardiographic, glucose and lipid parameters in GHD adults, except for increase in HDL cholesterol that was only observed in the HDGH regimen.

Avaliação do Metabolismo Glicídico e da Gordura Visceral em Adultos Deficientes de Hormônio de Crescimento

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) syndrome in adults and the resulting increased cardiovascular risk have been extensively studied in recent years. To evaluate body composition abnormalities and insulin resistance in GHD adults, we studied 27 patients using abdominal CT, considering glucose and insulin responses during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA). The group of patients was compared to a control group of 27 healthy individuals matched by age, gender and body mass index. GHD patients showed increase in the amount of visceral adipose tissue (p= 0.008). The frequency of abnormalities indicated by OGTT was similar to that found within the control group. Fasting and after-oral glucose load plasma glucose and insulin levels were similar to those identified within the control group (p>0.05). The areas under the glucose and insulin curves were also similar (p>0.05) and there were no differences in the insulin sensitivity measured by HOMA (p= 0.989). There was a strong positive correlation between increased visceral adipose tissue with after-oral glucose load plasma glucose (r= 0.58; p= 0.001) and insulin (r= 0.72; p= 0.001) levels and the areas under the glucose (r= 0.40; p= 0.040) and insulin (r= 0.71; p= 0.001) curves on the patient group, but not within the control group (r 0.05). In conclusion, it was not observed any significant difference in glucose metabolism, despite the increased amount of visceral fat found in GHD patients.

Doença de paget com manifestação nos maxilares

An unusual case of Pagets disease of bone, presenting as a maxillary disease, is discussed. This rare manifestation of a systemic disease led to an initial difficulty in establishing the diagnosis; indeed, the etiology was only determined after the lesion biopsy. Bisphosphonates were used with a good response. We highlight in this article the need for a multidiscipli-nary follow-up of such patients due to odonthological complications of the disease when localized in the jaw.

Perfil lipídico e composição corporal na deficiência do hormônio de crescimento em adultos

BACKGROUND: The growth hormone deficiency (GHD) syndrome in adults and the increased associated cardiovascular risk have been extensively studied in recent years. Abnormal body composition with excess of visceral adiposity and adverse lipid profile are important features of this syndrome. Abnormal lipid profile has been described with increased levels of total cholesterol (C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, decreased levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoproteins abnormalities. METHODS: Lipid profile and the amount of visceral adipose tissue were studied in 31 GHD adults compared with a control group of healthy subjects matched for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). Visceral adipose tissue was evaluated by abdominal computed tomography and anthropometric measurements- BMI (kg/m2) and waist circumference (cm). The lipid profile was studied by measurement of C, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A and B, and Lipoprotein (a). RESULTS: The GHD adults showed increased visceral adipose tissue (156.66 ± 72.72 vs. 113.51 ± 32.97 cm2, p = 0.049), higher levels of triglycerides (158.58 ± 80.29 vs. 97.17 ± 12.37 mg/dl; p = 0.007) and lower HDL- cholesterol (45.41±13.30 vs. 55.34±14.31 mg/dl; p = 0.002). There were no differences in others aspects of lipid profile and anthropometric measurements. CONCLUSION: Growth Hormone Deficient adults showed increased visceral adipose tissue, higher levels of triglycerides and lower HDL- cholesterol levels.

Alteração da função hipofisária associada a mucocele gigante

This paper reports the case of a patient with a giant mucocele of the sphenoidal sinus, which presented like an intracranial mass, invading the sella and leading to pituitary dysfunction with somatotrophic and corticotrophic deficit. A literature search reveals no other reports of such cases. Thus, we discuss some reported cases of intracranial masses associated with mucoceles and the reversibility of the pituitary function after decompressive surgery. (Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab 2000; 44/6: 528-31)