Effect of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy on Lipid Profile, Blood Pressure and Body Composition in Patients with Hypopituitarism: Six-Month Results

Growth hormone deficiency can increase cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, negatively affecting some risk factors, like lipid profile known to predispose to coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) on impaired lipid profile, blood pressure and body composition.
METHOD
Twenty patients (13 females, mean age: 51±6 years; 7 males, mean age: 46±13 years) who were followed-up at the Endocrinology clinic due to hypopituitarism with no cardiac involvement (normal ECG, echo, and holter monitoring) were included in the study. The diagnosis was based on the insulin tolerance test. The patients, who were on the replacement therapy also for other pituitary hormone deficiencies, were planned to receive GHRT for 2 years in doses recommended by the Growth Hormone Society Workshop. Data from 20 patients, who received GHRT for 6 months were assessed in this study. At baseline, third and sixth months after GHRT, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL- and LDL- cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels were measured; systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip-ratio (WHR) were also evaluated.
RESULTS
Before treatment, cardiological findings were normal in all patients. While BMI of the patients did not change during the treatment, WHR decreased significantly (p<0.05). Blood pressures at baseline, were normal and remained so after the treatment. Total and LDL-cholesterol levels dropped significantly (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in HDL levels (p<0.05). Although triglycerides and fasting glucose levels showed an increasing tendency, the difference from baseline did not reach a significant level.
CONCLUSION
With a 6-month GHRT, an improvement in cardiovascular risk factors has been observed; an improvement in lipid profile and a decrease in abdominal obesity. However, it is questionable whether these favorable effects will continue in the long-term. Therefore, it is obvious that there is a need for long-term prospective studies with GHRT.