Growth hormone (GH) therapy in GH-deficient patients, the plasma factor VIII-von Willebrand factor complex, and capillary fragility. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study

Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1990 Jun;50(4):417-20. doi: 10.3109/00365519009091600.

Abstract

It has been suggested that growth hormone (GH) plays a role in the regulation of Factor VIII-von Willebrand factor complex and other parameters associated with haemostasis and vascular integrity. However, limited information is available on these features in GH-deficient patients. We therefore examined, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, the effects of 4 months' replacement therapy with biosynthetic human GH in 22 GH-deficient adults on circulating haemostatic parameters and capillary fragility. A non-significant increase in the plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (p = 0.09), Factor VIII antigen (p = 0.6), fibrinogen (p = 0.4) and fibronectin (p = 0.2) was observed at the end of the GH treatment period along with a non-significant decrease in tissue-type plasminogen activator (p = 0.2). Capillary fragility tended to decrease during GH therapy (p = 0.2). All variables remained within the reference range following both the placebo and the GH treatment period. It is concluded that GH-deficient patients display normal levels of the haemostasis parameters recorded, and that 4 months of GH therapy in a conventional replacement dose does not significantly affect these values.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Capillary Fragility*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Erythrocyte Indices
  • Factor VIII / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Growth Hormone / deficiency*
  • Growth Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Hematocrit
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Male
  • Placebos
  • von Willebrand Factor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Placebos
  • von Willebrand Factor
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Factor VIII
  • Growth Hormone