Conclusions
Short-term LGH therapy improves insulin sensitivity without inducing basal lipolysis and had no effect on cortisol metabolism and ectopic fat accumulation in GH-deficient adults. This may reflect an LGH-induced increase in IGF-1 to IGFBP-3 molar ratio exerting insulin-like effects through the abundant muscle IGF-1 receptors, but this hypothesis requires confirmation with further studies.
Results
At month 1, LGH did not alter fasting levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, free fatty acid, adiponectin, total IGF-1, IGF-1 bioactivity, IGF-2, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2, or IGF-1 to IGFBP-3 molar ratio. At month 3, LGH increased clamp glucose infusion rates (P < .01) and IGF-1 to IGFBP-3 molar ratio (P < .05), but fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide, free fatty acid, adiponectin, IGF-1 bioactivity, IGF-2, IGFBP-2, 24-hour CPRs, adipocyte size, adipocyte 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, intrahepatic lipid, extramyocellular, or intramyocellular were unchanged. In the placebo group, all within-group parameters from months 1 and 3 compared with baseline were unchanged. Conclusions: Short-term LGH therapy improves insulin sensitivity without inducing basal lipolysis and had no effect on cortisol metabolism and ectopic fat accumulation in GH-deficient adults. This may reflect an LGH-induced increase in IGF-1 to IGFBP-3 molar ratio exerting insulin-like effects through the abundant muscle IGF-1 receptors, but this hypothesis requires confirmation with further studies.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00517062.