Growth hormone (GH) and atherosclerosis: changes in morphology and function of major arteries during GH treatment

• Published in: Growth hormone & IGF research 1999-04, Vol.9 Suppl A, p.25-30
• Main Authors: Pfeifer, M, Verhovec, R, Zizek, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Arteriosclerosis - etiology; Brachial Artery; Endothelium, Vascular - pathology; Hemorheology; Human Growth Hormone - deficiency; Human Growth Hormone - therapeutic use; Humans; Hypopituitarism - complications; Hypopituitarism - drug therapy; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Vasodilation
• ISSN: 1096-6374
• DOI: 10.1016/S1096-6374(99)80006-9

Patients with hypopituitarism have increased carotid artery intima-media thickness and reduced arterial distensibility. The effect of 2 years of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy on these parameters was studied in 11 GH-deficient men (age range, 24-49 years) with hypopituitarism and compared with 12 healthy, age-matched men with no evidence of pituitary or vascular disease. Before treatment the intima-media of the common carotid arteries and the carotid bifurcations were significantly thicker in patients (P < 0.001) than in the control group. Treatment with GH normalized the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery within 6 months and of the carotid bifurcation within 3 months. The changes in intima-media thickness of the carotid artery were negatively correlated with changes in serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I during treatment. There was a significant improvement in flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent dilation of the brachial artery at 3 months, which was sustained at 6, 18 and 24 months of GH treatment (P < 0.05). Thus, GH replacement therapy in GH-deficient men reverses early morphological and functional atherosclerotic changes in major arteries, and may reduce rates of vascular morbidity and mortality.