Effects of a Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Analog on Endogenous GH Pulsatility and Insulin Sensitivity in Healthy Men
Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Strategies to augment pulsatile GH may be beneficial in patients with excess visceral adiposity, in whom GH secretion is reduced. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a novel GHRH (GHRH(1-44)) analog, tesamorelin, on endogenous GH pulsatility and insulin sensitivity in healthy men. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTION: Thirteen males (mean age 45 ± 3 yr and body mass index 27.3 ± 1.2 kg/m(2)) received tesamorelin 2 mg sc once daily for 2 wk, with assessment made at baseline, after 2 wk of treatment, and after 2 wk of withdrawal. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was change in mean overnight GH as determined by overnight frequent sampling. Secondary end points included insulin-stimulated glucose uptake as measured by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp; IGF-I; and GH secretion parameters, including pulse area, pulse frequency, and basal secretion. RESULTS: Tesamorelin treatment increased mean overnight GH (change +0.5 ± 0.1 μg/liter, P = 0.004), average log(10) GH peak area (change +0.4 ± 0.1 log(10) μg/liter, P = 0.001), and basal GH secretion (change +0.008 ± 0.003 μg/liter · min, P = 0.008). IGF-I increased by 181 ± 22 μg/liter (P < 0.0001). Neither fasting glucose (P = 0.93) nor insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (P = 0.61) was significantly affected by tesamorelin. CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily short-term treatment with a GHRH(1-44) analog, tesamorelin, augments basal and pulsatile GH secretion. Moreover, although tesamorelin significantly increases IGF-I, peripheral insulin-stimulated glucose uptake appears to be preserved.
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-1587
Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: G1024134251, Augmenting Pulsatile Growth Hormone: Metabolic Effects in HIV-Infection, Training Program in Nutrition and Metabolism, G2496518617, Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone in Patients with HIV Lipodystrophy, Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (UL1), General Clinical Research Center, G3740841103, G3981800229, Growth Hormone, Mitochondria, and Cardio-metabolic Complications of Obesity, Strategies to Improve CAD Risk In HIV Disease, Metabolic, and Cardiovascular Effects of GHRH in HIV Infected Patients, Boston Area Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC)
OpenAlex ID: W2144550641