Péter Pusztai

Ghrelin: A new peptide regulating the neurohormonal system, energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism

Identification of ghrelin started with the discovery of growth hormone secretagogues, continued with the description of ghrelin receptors and ended with the elucidation of the chemical structure of ghrelin. However, several issues concerning the role of ghrelin in physiological and pathophysiological processes are still under investigation. Most of the ghrelin produced in the body is secreted in the stomach, but it is also expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary, pancreas, intestine, kidney, heart and gonads. Ghrelin stimulates growth hormone secretion via growth hormone secretagogue receptors. Ghrelin secretion in the stomach depends on both acute and chronic changes in nutritional status and energy balance. Current data support the hypothesis that the stomach, in addition to its important role in digestion, not only influences pituitary hormone secretion but, via ghrelin production, it also sends orexigenic (appetite increasing) signals to hypothalamic nuclei involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. In addition to these main effects, ghrelin influences insulin secretion and glucose metabolism and it may exert potentially important effects on cardiovascular and gastrointestinal functions. Because of its effects on a large number of physiological functions, ghrelin may be involved in the pathomechanism of several human disorders, including disturbances of appetite, energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism. Further research might lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of ghrelin and might provide more effective therapy for the above disorders. Copyright

Diagnostic performance of salivary cortisol and serum osteocalcin measurements in patients with overt and subclinical Cushing's syndrome

OBJECTIVE The cut-off value for salivary cortisol measurement for the diagnosis of Cushings syndrome (CS) may depend both on the severity of the disease and the composition of control group. Therefore, we examined the utility of midnight salivary cortisol measurements in patients who were evaluated for signs and symptoms of CS or because they had adrenal incidentalomas. Because serum osteocalcin (OC) is considered as a sensitive marker of hypercortisolism, we also investigated whether OC could have a role in the diagnosis of CS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Each of the 151 patients was included into one of the following groups: (A) overt CS (n=23), (B) subclinical CS (n=18), (C) inactive adrenal adenomas (n=40), (D) patients without HPA disturbances (n=70). Patients (C+D) were used as controls. Serum, salivary and urinary cortisol, and OC were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS Group A had suppressed OC as compared to both group B and group (C+D). Serum and salivary cortisol concentrations showed strong negative correlations with OC in patients with overt CS. The areas under the curves of salivary and serum cortisol at 24:00 h (0.9790 and 0.9940, respectively) serum cortisol after low dose dexamethasone test (0.9930) and OC (0.9220) obtained from ROC analysis for the diagnosis of overt CS were not statistically different. CONCLUSION This study confirms the usefulness of midnight salivary cortisol measurements in the diagnosis of overt CS in the everyday endocrinological praxis. Our results suggest that OC may have a role in the diagnosis of overt CS.

Cord serum dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 activity in gestational diabetes

Tissue‐specific dipeptidyl‐peptidase 4 (DPP4) dysregulation has been described in adults with diabetes mellitus. The DPP4 ‐incretin system has not been studied in foetal life. In this study, DPP4 activity and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) levels were assessed in cord blood of neonates born to women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and nondiabetic controls.

Rapid progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in an acromegalic patient after surgical resection of a growth hormone-producing pituitary adenoma

Introduction:Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) promotes the survival of neurons, mediates neuritic growth, and in 1 clinical trial human recombinant IGF-1 delayed the progression of functional impairment and decline of health-related quality of life in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Case Report:We describe a case of a 65-year-old woman with a 2-year history of symptoms and signs of acromegaly because of a pituitary microadenoma. The patient posed a challenging diagnostic dilemma because of the presence of dysarthria, which was initially considered as the consequence of acromegaly. After octreotide long-acting release (LAR) treatment, the patient underwent uneventful pituitary surgery. Although postoperative evaluation indicated a cure of acromegaly, progressive bulbar symptoms developed, which were followed by upper limb weakness and muscle atrophy. Neurologic investigations confirmed the diagnosis of ALS and riluzole therapy was given. One year after surgery growth-hormone deficiency was diagnosed, but a trial with human recombinant growth hormone failed to produce any significant improvement. Two years after surgery the patient died of a sudden respiratory arrest. Histopathologic examination of the brain and spinal cord confirmed the diagnosis of ALS. Conclusions:This is the first report showing a rapid progression of ALS after a surgical cure of coexisting acromegaly presumably because of cessation of high endogenous IGF-I levels.

Analysis of laboratory data of 155 patients with pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndrome diagnosed during the past 20 years

Bevezetés: A phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma szindróma laboratóriumi kórismézése jelentős fejlődésen ment keresztül az utóbbi két évtizedben. Célkitűzés: Jelen vizsgálat célja, hogy retrospektív elemzéssel bemutassa és értékelje a Semmelweis Egyetem, II. Belgyógyászati Klinikán 1993–2013 között diagnosztizált phaeochromocytomás/paragangliomás betegek klinikai és laboratóriumi adatait. Módszer: A vizeletkatecholaminokat és metabolitjaikat nagy felbontású folyadékkromatográfiát követő elektrokémiai detektálással mérték 155 phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma szindrómás (28,4%-uk örökletes hátterű) betegben és 170 nem phaeochromocytomás egyénben. A szérum-chromogranin-A-t immunradiometriás módszerrel vizsgálták. Eredmények: A 24 órás gyűjtött vizeletben a frakcionált metanephrinek szenzitivitása (93,2%) és specificitása (87,0%) meghaladta a katecholaminok (90,9% és 85,7%) és a szérum-chromogranin-A-meghatározás (88,7%, illetve 77,5%) hasonló értékeit. A vizeletnormetanephrin, illetve a szérum-chromogranin-A pozitív összefüggést mutatott a daganatátmérővel (r = 0,552, p<0,0001, illetve r = 0,618, p<0,0001). Következtetések: Az eredmények a vizelettel ürülő katecholaminmetabolitok meghatározásának jelentőségét igazolják a phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma diagnosztikájában. A vizeletnormetanephrin és a szérum-chromogranin-A segíthet a tumortömeg és a progresszió megítélésében. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(16), 626–635.INTRODUCTION Laboratory diagnosis of pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndrome has been markedly improved during the past two decades. AIM Retrospective assessment of diagnostic utility of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites as well as serum chromogranin A in 155 patients diagnosed at the 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University. METHOD Urinary catecholamines and metabolites were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in 155 patients with pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma (of whom 28.4% had hereditary background) and in 170 non-pheochromocytoma patients used as controls. Serum chromogranin A was measured by immunoradiometry. RESULTS Sensitivity (93.2%) and specificity (87.0%) of urinary fractionated metanephrines were higher than those of urinary catecholamines (90.9% vs. 85.7%, respectively) and serum chromogranin A (88.7% and 77.5%, respectively). Urinary normetanephrine and serum chromogranin A correlated positively with tumor size (r = 0.552, p<0.0001 and r = 0.618, p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These data confirm the diagnostic utility of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites. Urinary normetanephrine and serum chromogranin A may help to estimate tumour mass and probably tumour progression.

Plasma ghrelin response to an oral glucose load in growth hormone-deficient adults treated with growth hormone

ZusammenfassungHINTERGRUND: Die Pathophysiologie der Ghrelin-Sekretion bei Wachstumshormon-defizienten Erwachsenen unter Therapie mit Wachstumshormon ist weitgehend unbekannt. Auch die Beziehung zwischen Plasma-Ghrelin-Spiegeln und einer durch eine orale Glukosebelastung induzierten Hyperinsulinämie wurde in solchen Patienten noch nicht erforscht. ZIEL DER STUDIE: In der vorliegenden Studie untersuchten wir die Beziehung zwischen Plasma-Ghrelin, Insulin, C-Peptid und Leptin nach einer oralen Glukosebelastung bei Wachstumshormon-defizienten Erwachsenen, die unter einer Therapie mit Wachstumshormon standen. METHODEN: Plasma-Ghrelin, Leptin, Insulin, C-Peptid und Blutzucker wurden vor sowie 30, 60, 90 und 120 Minuten nach der oralen Einnahme von 75 g Glukose bei 20 Wachstumshormon-defizienten Erwachsenen (12 Frauen, 8 Männer), die 7,2 ± 1,3 (MW ± SE) Jahre mit Wachstumshormon behandelt worden waren, gemessen. Plasma-Ghrelin wurde vor und nach einer Glukosebelastung bei 10 gesunden im Alter und Gewicht entsprechenden Personen (5 Männer, 5 Frauen) gemessen. ERGEBNISSE: Die orale Glukosebelastung bewirkte bei Wachstumshormon-defizienten Patienten und bei Gesunden eine prozentuell ähnliche Unterdrückung des Plasma-Ghrelins. In beiden Gruppen sank das Plasma-Ghrelin 30 Minuten nach der Glukosegabe signifikant und blieb von da ab bis zum Ende der Untersuchung unterdrückt. Bei den Wachstumshormon-defizienten Patienten zeigten Insulin (basal 15,9 ± 3,9 µIU/ml) und C-Peptid (basal (2,5 ± 0,3 ng/ml) gegenläufige Veränderungen mit Spitzenwerten 30 Minuten (Insulin: 109,5 ± 15,6 µIU/ml) bzw. 60 Minuten (C-Peptid: 10,3 ± 1,1 ng/ml) nach der Glukosegabe. Zum Unterschied vom basalen Ghrelin korrelierte bei diesen Patienten das post-Glukose Plasma-Ghrelin negativ mit dem Plasma-Insulin, dem C-Peptid und den Blutzuckerwerten. Das basale Ghrelin korrelierte invers mit dem basalen Plasma-Leptin. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die Unterdrückung von Plasma-Ghrelin nach einer oralen Glukosebelastung bei Wachstumshormon-defizienten Patienten unter Wachstumshormon-Therapie ist ähnlich der bei Gesunden beobachteten; dies spricht gegen eine gestörte Regulation der Ghrelin-Sekretion bei diesen Patienten. Die Korrelationen zwischen post-Glukose Plasma-Ghrelin, Insulin und Blutzucker machen einen schon früher vorgeschlagenen Zusammenhang zwischen einer Hyperinsulinämie (bzw. einem erhöhten Blutzucker) und der Suppression der Ghrelin Spiegel wahrscheinlich.SummaryBACKGROUND: Little is known about the pathophysiology of ghrelin secretion in growth hormone-deficient adults treated with growth hormone, and the relationship between plasma ghrelin and hyperinsulinemia induced by an oral glucose load has not been investigated in these patients. OBJECTIVE: In the present study we examined the relationship between plasma ghrelin, insulin, C-peptide and leptin after an oral glucose load in growth hormone-deficient adults receiving treatment with growth hormone. METHODS: Plasma ghrelin, leptin, insulin, C-peptide and blood glucose were measured before and then at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the ingestion of glucose (75 g orally) in 20 growth hormone-deficient adults (12 women and 8 men), who had been treated with growth hormone for 7.2 ± 1.3 years (mean ± SE). Plasma ghrelin was also determined before and after the glucose load in 10 age-and weight-matched healthy persons (5 women and 5 men). RESULTS: The oral glucose load induced a similar percent suppression of plasma ghrelin in the growth hormone-deficient patients and in the healthy persons. In both groups plasma ghrelin decreased significantly 30 min after the glucose load and remained suppressed throughout the test period. In the patients plasma insulin (baseline, 15.9 ± 3.9 µIU/ml) and C-peptide (baseline, 2.5 ± 0.3 ng/ml) showed opposite changes with peak responses at 30 min (insulin, 109.5 ± 15.6 µIU/ml) or 60 min (C-peptide, 10.3 ± 1.1 ng/ml). In these patients, post-glucose, but not baseline plasma ghrelin levels correlated negatively with plasma insulin, C-peptide and blood glucose levels, whereas baseline plasma ghrelin correlated inversely with baseline plasma leptin. CONCLUSIONS: The similar suppression of plasma ghrelin in growth hormone-deficient patients treated with growth hormone and in healthy persons after an oral glucose load argues against disturbed regulation of ghrelin secretion in these patients. The correlations between post-glucose plasma ghrelin, insulin and blood glucose support the existence of a previously proposed link between hyperinsulinemia (or increased blood glucose) and suppression of ghrelin levels.

A laboratóriumi diagnosztika eredményei az elmúlt 20 évben kórismézett 155 phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma szindrómás beteg adatainak elemzése alapján@@@Analysis of laboratory data of 155 patients with pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndrome diagnosed during the past 20 years

Bevezetés: A phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma szindróma laboratóriumi kórismézése jelentős fejlődésen ment keresztül az utóbbi két évtizedben. Célkitűzés: Jelen vizsgálat célja, hogy retrospektív elemzéssel bemutassa és értékelje a Semmelweis Egyetem, II. Belgyógyászati Klinikán 1993–2013 között diagnosztizált phaeochromocytomás/paragangliomás betegek klinikai és laboratóriumi adatait. Módszer: A vizeletkatecholaminokat és metabolitjaikat nagy felbontású folyadékkromatográfiát követő elektrokémiai detektálással mérték 155 phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma szindrómás (28,4%-uk örökletes hátterű) betegben és 170 nem phaeochromocytomás egyénben. A szérum-chromogranin-A-t immunradiometriás módszerrel vizsgálták. Eredmények: A 24 órás gyűjtött vizeletben a frakcionált metanephrinek szenzitivitása (93,2%) és specificitása (87,0%) meghaladta a katecholaminok (90,9% és 85,7%) és a szérum-chromogranin-A-meghatározás (88,7%, illetve 77,5%) hasonló értékeit. A vizeletnormetanephrin, illetve a szérum-chromogranin-A pozitív összefüggést mutatott a daganatátmérővel (r = 0,552, p<0,0001, illetve r = 0,618, p<0,0001). Következtetések: Az eredmények a vizelettel ürülő katecholaminmetabolitok meghatározásának jelentőségét igazolják a phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma diagnosztikájában. A vizeletnormetanephrin és a szérum-chromogranin-A segíthet a tumortömeg és a progresszió megítélésében. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(16), 626–635.INTRODUCTION Laboratory diagnosis of pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndrome has been markedly improved during the past two decades. AIM Retrospective assessment of diagnostic utility of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites as well as serum chromogranin A in 155 patients diagnosed at the 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University. METHOD Urinary catecholamines and metabolites were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in 155 patients with pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma (of whom 28.4% had hereditary background) and in 170 non-pheochromocytoma patients used as controls. Serum chromogranin A was measured by immunoradiometry. RESULTS Sensitivity (93.2%) and specificity (87.0%) of urinary fractionated metanephrines were higher than those of urinary catecholamines (90.9% vs. 85.7%, respectively) and serum chromogranin A (88.7% and 77.5%, respectively). Urinary normetanephrine and serum chromogranin A correlated positively with tumor size (r = 0.552, p<0.0001 and r = 0.618, p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These data confirm the diagnostic utility of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites. Urinary normetanephrine and serum chromogranin A may help to estimate tumour mass and probably tumour progression.

A laboratóriumi diagnosztika eredményei az elmúlt 20 évben kórismézett 155 phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma szindrómás beteg adatainak elemzése alapján

Bevezetés: A phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma szindróma laboratóriumi kórismézése jelentős fejlődésen ment keresztül az utóbbi két évtizedben. Célkitűzés: Jelen vizsgálat célja, hogy retrospektív elemzéssel bemutassa és értékelje a Semmelweis Egyetem, II. Belgyógyászati Klinikán 1993–2013 között diagnosztizált phaeochromocytomás/paragangliomás betegek klinikai és laboratóriumi adatait. Módszer: A vizeletkatecholaminokat és metabolitjaikat nagy felbontású folyadékkromatográfiát követő elektrokémiai detektálással mérték 155 phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma szindrómás (28,4%-uk örökletes hátterű) betegben és 170 nem phaeochromocytomás egyénben. A szérum-chromogranin-A-t immunradiometriás módszerrel vizsgálták. Eredmények: A 24 órás gyűjtött vizeletben a frakcionált metanephrinek szenzitivitása (93,2%) és specificitása (87,0%) meghaladta a katecholaminok (90,9% és 85,7%) és a szérum-chromogranin-A-meghatározás (88,7%, illetve 77,5%) hasonló értékeit. A vizeletnormetanephrin, illetve a szérum-chromogranin-A pozitív összefüggést mutatott a daganatátmérővel (r = 0,552, p<0,0001, illetve r = 0,618, p<0,0001). Következtetések: Az eredmények a vizelettel ürülő katecholaminmetabolitok meghatározásának jelentőségét igazolják a phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma diagnosztikájában. A vizeletnormetanephrin és a szérum-chromogranin-A segíthet a tumortömeg és a progresszió megítélésében. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(16), 626–635.INTRODUCTION Laboratory diagnosis of pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndrome has been markedly improved during the past two decades. AIM Retrospective assessment of diagnostic utility of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites as well as serum chromogranin A in 155 patients diagnosed at the 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University. METHOD Urinary catecholamines and metabolites were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in 155 patients with pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma (of whom 28.4% had hereditary background) and in 170 non-pheochromocytoma patients used as controls. Serum chromogranin A was measured by immunoradiometry. RESULTS Sensitivity (93.2%) and specificity (87.0%) of urinary fractionated metanephrines were higher than those of urinary catecholamines (90.9% vs. 85.7%, respectively) and serum chromogranin A (88.7% and 77.5%, respectively). Urinary normetanephrine and serum chromogranin A correlated positively with tumor size (r = 0.552, p<0.0001 and r = 0.618, p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These data confirm the diagnostic utility of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites. Urinary normetanephrine and serum chromogranin A may help to estimate tumour mass and probably tumour progression.

A szomatosztatinanalóg kezelés eredményei acromegaliában@@@Outcome of somatostatin analogue treatment in acromegaly

to somatostatin analogue treatment. Results: After a 3-month treatment with somatostatin analogues, both serum GH and IGF-1 levels decreased signifi cantly and they remained around the same decreased levels throughout the treatment period. Serum GH decreased from 15.7±4.9 to 5.5±1.4 ng/ml, and serum IGF-1, expressed as a percentage of the upper limit of age- and sex-adjusted reference value, decreased from 204±14% to 135±12% at the end of treatment. The effi cacy of somatostatin analogue treatment was not infl uenced by surgical or surgical and irradiation therapies which were applied prior to medical treatment. At the end of treatment 36.7% of patients had safe serum GH (<2.5 ng/ml), while serum IGF-1 returned below the upper limit of age- and sexadjusted reference range in 41.4% of patients. Pituitary MRI showed regression of the adenoma in 46% of patients, and none of the patients had progression of the pituitary adenoma. Conclusions: Somatostatin analogues are effective therapeutic options for acromegalic patients when primary surgical treatment cannot be performed due to complications and associated disorders, or in patients whose acromegaly remains active after pituitary surgery or after pituitary surgery and irradiation.UNLABELLED During the past decade the importance of medical therapy, especially treatment with somatostatin analogues has increased significantly in patients with active acromegaly. AIMS Authors analyzed the outcome of somatostatin analogue treatment in acromegalic patients evaluated and followed up at the 2nd Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, during the past 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS Changes in serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration, as well as morphologic changes of pituitary adenomas followed by MRI scans were evaluated and compared in 32 acromegalic patients (26 women, 6 men) during long-term somatostatin analogue treatment (mean+/-SE, 3.1+/-0.3 years, range, 1-7 years). Primary somatostatin analogue treatment was applied in 10 patients (7 women and 3 men), whereas 15 patients (14 women and 1 man) had pituitary surgery and 7 patients (5 women and 2 men) underwent both pituitary surgery and irradiation therapy prior to somatostatin analogue treatment. RESULTS After a 3-month treatment with somatostatin analogues, both serum GH and IGF-1 levels decreased significantly and they remained around the same decreased levels throughout the treatment period. Serum GH decreased from 15.7+/-4.9 to 5.5+/-1.4 ng/ml, and serum IGF-1, expressed as a percentage of the upper limit of age- and sex-adjusted reference value, decreased from 204+/-14% to 135+/-12% at the end of treatment. The efficacy of somatostatin analogue treatment was not influenced by surgical or surgical and irradiation therapies which were applied prior to medical treatment. At the end of treatment 36.7% of patients had safe serum GH (<2.5 ng/ml), while serum IGF-1 returned below the upper limit of age- and sex-adjusted reference range in 41.4% of patients. Pituitary MRI showed regression of the adenoma in 46% of patients, and none of the patients had progression of the pituitary adenoma. CONCLUSIONS Somatostatin analogues are effective therapeutic options for acromegalic patients when primary surgical treatment cannot be performed due to complications and associated disorders, or in patients whose acromegaly remains active after pituitary surgery or after pituitary surgery and irradiation.

Outcome of somatostatin analogue treatment in acromegaly

to somatostatin analogue treatment. Results: After a 3-month treatment with somatostatin analogues, both serum GH and IGF-1 levels decreased signifi cantly and they remained around the same decreased levels throughout the treatment period. Serum GH decreased from 15.7±4.9 to 5.5±1.4 ng/ml, and serum IGF-1, expressed as a percentage of the upper limit of age- and sex-adjusted reference value, decreased from 204±14% to 135±12% at the end of treatment. The effi cacy of somatostatin analogue treatment was not infl uenced by surgical or surgical and irradiation therapies which were applied prior to medical treatment. At the end of treatment 36.7% of patients had safe serum GH (<2.5 ng/ml), while serum IGF-1 returned below the upper limit of age- and sexadjusted reference range in 41.4% of patients. Pituitary MRI showed regression of the adenoma in 46% of patients, and none of the patients had progression of the pituitary adenoma. Conclusions: Somatostatin analogues are effective therapeutic options for acromegalic patients when primary surgical treatment cannot be performed due to complications and associated disorders, or in patients whose acromegaly remains active after pituitary surgery or after pituitary surgery and irradiation.UNLABELLED During the past decade the importance of medical therapy, especially treatment with somatostatin analogues has increased significantly in patients with active acromegaly. AIMS Authors analyzed the outcome of somatostatin analogue treatment in acromegalic patients evaluated and followed up at the 2nd Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, during the past 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS Changes in serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration, as well as morphologic changes of pituitary adenomas followed by MRI scans were evaluated and compared in 32 acromegalic patients (26 women, 6 men) during long-term somatostatin analogue treatment (mean+/-SE, 3.1+/-0.3 years, range, 1-7 years). Primary somatostatin analogue treatment was applied in 10 patients (7 women and 3 men), whereas 15 patients (14 women and 1 man) had pituitary surgery and 7 patients (5 women and 2 men) underwent both pituitary surgery and irradiation therapy prior to somatostatin analogue treatment. RESULTS After a 3-month treatment with somatostatin analogues, both serum GH and IGF-1 levels decreased significantly and they remained around the same decreased levels throughout the treatment period. Serum GH decreased from 15.7+/-4.9 to 5.5+/-1.4 ng/ml, and serum IGF-1, expressed as a percentage of the upper limit of age- and sex-adjusted reference value, decreased from 204+/-14% to 135+/-12% at the end of treatment. The efficacy of somatostatin analogue treatment was not influenced by surgical or surgical and irradiation therapies which were applied prior to medical treatment. At the end of treatment 36.7% of patients had safe serum GH (<2.5 ng/ml), while serum IGF-1 returned below the upper limit of age- and sex-adjusted reference range in 41.4% of patients. Pituitary MRI showed regression of the adenoma in 46% of patients, and none of the patients had progression of the pituitary adenoma. CONCLUSIONS Somatostatin analogues are effective therapeutic options for acromegalic patients when primary surgical treatment cannot be performed due to complications and associated disorders, or in patients whose acromegaly remains active after pituitary surgery or after pituitary surgery and irradiation.