Changes in ghrelin and nesfatin-1 in children with growth hormone deficiency treated by recombinant human growth hormone

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on serum nesfatin-1 and ghrelin in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), in order to provide a reliable basis for the effectiveness and safety of applying rhGH in treating GHD children in the clinic. A total of 30 GHD pediatric patients were selected as the observation group. According to the peak of GH, these patients were divided into two subgroups: complete absence of growth hormone (CGHD) group and partial absence of growth hormone (PGHD) group. At the same time, 20 healthy children of normal height with matching age and gender were randomly selected as a normal control group. Serum ghrelin and nesfatin-1 levels were detected in children in the control group and observation group before rhGH treatment, and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. After 3 and 6 months of treatment, the height and growth rate of children in the PGHD and CGHD groups significantly increased ( P < 0.05), but their body weights did not significantly change ( P > 0.05), compared with those before treatment. Before treatment, ghrelin was higher in the PGHD group than in the control group, while ghrelin was lower in the CGHD group than in the control group. In addition, nesfatin-1 was higher in these two subgroups, compared with that in the control group. At pretreatment, and after 3  and 6 months of treatment, ghrelin and nesfatin-1 both decreased in the PGHD group, while ghrelin increased and nesfatin-1 decreased in the CGHD group. It was confirmed that ghrelin and nesfatin-1 were closely correlated with GHD. Furthermore, rhGH has a significant effect on children with GHD, and can significantly accelerate the annual growth rate.