This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kriström, B. Articles by Albertsson-Wikland, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kriström, B. Articles by Albertsson-Wikland, K.

Short-Term Changes in Serum Leptin Levels Provide a Strong Metabolic Marker for the Growth Response to Growth Hormone Treatment in Children¹

International Pediatric Growth Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Umea (B.K.) and University of Goteborg (B.K., S.R., K.A.-W.), and Research Center for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Goteborg (B.C., L.M.S.C.), Goteborg, Sweden

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Berit Kriström, University of Goteborg, Department of Pediatrics, International Pediatric Growth Research Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital East, S-416 85 Gothenburg, Sweden. E-mail: berit.kristrom{at}pediatri.umu.se

The growth response to GH treatment varies between children. Besides regulating longitudinal growth, GH exerts important metabolic effects, including lipolysis. In this study we examined whether GH-induced changes in serum levels of the adipose tissue-derived hormone leptin can be used as a marker for the long term growth response to GH treatment in short prepubertal children. The study group consisted of 150 children (21 girls and 129 boys), who were 3–15 yr of age at the start of GH treatment and had a maximum GH secretory capacity ranging from very low to high. They were treated with GH (0.1 IU/kg·day) and followed for at least 1 yr.

The first year mean increase in height SD score was 0.79 (SD, 0.34), with a broad range (0.08–2.27). Serum leptin concentrations were significantly reduced after 1, 3, and 12 months of GH treatment compared with levels at the start of treatment. The growth response correlated with the serum leptin concentration at the start of treatment (r = 0.49; P < 0.0001) and with the change in serum leptin concentration after both 1 month (r = -0.41; P < 0.01) and 3 months (r = -0.60; P < 0.0001) of treatment. When multiple stepwise regression analysis was applied to the auxological and biochemical variables that correlated (P < 0.10) with the first year growth response to GH treatment, the 3-month change in serum leptin concentration was the single most important variable for explaining the variance in individual growth responses. We conclude that leptin levels at the start of GH treatment as well as short term changes in leptin levels in response to GH treatment are valuable markers of the long term growth response.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. S. Randeva, R. D. Murray, K. C. Lewandowski, C. J. O'Callaghan, R. Horn, P. O'Hare, G. Brabant, E. W. Hillhouse, and S. M. Shalet Differential Effects of GH Replacement on the Components of the Leptin System in GH-Deficient Individuals J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2002; 87(2): 798 - 804. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Vierhapper, P. Nowotny, H. Maier, and W. Waldhausl Production Rates of Dihydrotestosterone in Healthy Men and Women and in Men with Male Pattern Baldness: Determination by Stable Isotope/Dilution and Mass Spectrometry J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2001; 86(12): 5762 - 5764. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Coutant, F. Boux de Casson, S. Rouleau, O. Douay, E. Mathieu, M. Audran, and J. M. Limal Body Composition, Fasting Leptin, and Sex Steroid Administration Determine GH Sensitivity in Peripubertal Short Children J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2001; 86(12): 5805 - 5812. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. M. Drake, S. J. Howell, J. P. Monson, and S. M. Shalet Optimizing GH Therapy in Adults and Children Endocr. Rev., August 1, 2001; 22(4): 425 - 450. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Korotkova, B. Gabrielsson, L. A. Hanson, and B. Strandvik Maternal essential fatty acid deficiency depresses serum leptin levels in suckling rat pups J. Lipid Res., March 1, 2001; 42(3): 359 - 365. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. GARIBOTTO, A. BARRECA, A. SOFIA, R. RUSSO, F. FIORINI, G. CAPPELLI, F. CAVATORTA, A. CESARONE, R. FRANCESCHINI, P. SACCO, et al. Effects of Growth Hormone on Leptin Metabolism and Energy Expenditure in Hemodialysis Patients with Protein-Calorie Malnutrition J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., November 1, 2000; 11(11): 2106 - 2113. [Abstract] [Full Text]