Potent effect of recombinant growth hormone on bone mineral density and body composition in adults with panhypopituitarism

Abstract

Six patients (21–50 years) with growth hormone deficiency and panhypopituitarism were given recombinant growth hormone, somatropin, 0.04–0.1 U·kg·body wt−1·day−1, for 12 months. All patients reported improved well-being with increased working capacity. Bone mineral density, as measured by single photon absorptiometry at two sites on the forearm, showed increased values in 5/6 patients after 12 months when measured at the most distal site (predominantly trabecular bone) and in 4/6 at the more proximal site (predominantly cortical bone). Five patients continued therapy for an additional year and after 18 months a significant increase in bone mineral density was seen at both the distal and proximal sites. The mean annual increase in bone mineral density was 12.0±0.6 (sem)% and 3.8±1.3% at the distal and proximal sites, respectively. In a growth hormone deficient control group without growth hormone therapy, the corresponding values were −2.4±0.6% and −1.9±0.4%, respectively. Lean body mass, estimated anthropometrically, increased significantly after 12 months and total body potassium, measured by whole body counting technique, increased in 4/6 patients. During growth hormone treatment, the IGF-1 values were above the mean values for age and 50% of the values were above the mean + 2 SD. B-glucose, P-insulin, serum IGF-2, procollagen-III peptide and phosphate increased and urea, creatinine and IGF-binding protein-1 decreased during treatment. The beneficial effects of growth hormone substitution, especially on bone mineral density, indicate that growth hormone substitution should be considered in all patients with hypopituitarism and growth hormone deficiency, irrespective of age.