Metabolic effects of growth hormone therapy in an Alström syndrome patient

Horm Res. 2003;60(6):297-301. doi: 10.1159/000074248.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the metabolic effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in an Alström syndrome patient with growth hormone deficiency.

Methods: A 15-year-old Alström syndrome boy with growth hormone deficiency received rhGH therapy for 1 year. Biochemical parameters, including hepatic enzyme levels, lipid profiles, and insulin sensitivity, were measured. Body composition analysis and computed tomography scans of the liver were performed.

Results: After 1 year of rhGH treatment, body fat mass, fat infiltration in the liver, and serum lipid profiles had all decreased. Insulin sensitivity and acanthosis nigricans improved.

Conclusion: rhGH therapy might have beneficial effects on body composition, liver fat content, lipid profiles, and insulin resistance in Alström syndrome patients, with improvement of the glucose homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / drug therapy*
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / genetics*
  • Acanthosis Nigricans / complications
  • Acanthosis Nigricans / diagnosis
  • Acanthosis Nigricans / drug therapy
  • Adipose Tissue
  • Adolescent
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / physiology
  • Body Composition / drug effects
  • Body Mass Index
  • Chromosome Disorders / complications
  • Chromosome Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Chromosome Disorders / genetics*
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine
  • Fatty Liver / diagnosis
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy
  • Fatty Liver / enzymology
  • Genes, Recessive
  • Growth Hormone / administration & dosage
  • Growth Hormone / pharmacology
  • Growth Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Human Growth Hormone / adverse effects
  • Human Growth Hormone / deficiency
  • Humans
  • Hyperinsulinism / complications
  • Hyperinsulinism / diagnosis
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / complications
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / diagnosis
  • Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Syndrome
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Growth Hormone