This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor 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 Svensson, J. Articles by Bengtsson, B.-A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Svensson, J. Articles by Bengtsson, B.-A.

Treatment of Obese Subjects with the Oral Growth Hormone Secretagogue MK-677 Affects Serum Concentrations of Several Lipoproteins, But Not Lipoprotein(a)¹

Research Center for Endocrinology and Metabolism (J.S., J.O.J., G.J., B.-Å.B.), Wallenberg Laboratory (M.O., O.W.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden; and the Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital (M.-R.T.), Helsinki, Finland

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Johan Svensson, M.D., Research Center for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Gröna Strket 8, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden.

Obesity is associated with blunted GH secretion and an unfavorable lipoprotein pattern. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of treatment with the oral GH secretagogue MK-677 on lipoproteins in otherwise healthy obese males. The study was randomized, double blind, and parallel. Twenty-four obese males, aged 18–50 yr, with body mass index greater than 30 kg/m² and waist/hip ratio above 0.95 were treated with 25 mg MK-677 (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12) daily for 8 weeks.

MK-677 treatment did not significantly change serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels. Serum apolipoprotein A-I and E (apoA-I and apoE) were increased at 2 weeks (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 vs. placebo, respectively), but were not changed at study end. Serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were not significantly changed by MK-677 treatment. Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased at 2 weeks of MK-677 treatment (P < 0.01 vs. placebo), but not at 8 weeks. The LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was reduced after 8 weeks of MK-677 treatment (P < 0.05 vs. placebo). Mean LDL particle diameter was decreased at 2 weeks (P < 0.05 vs. placebo), but was unchanged compared with baseline values at 8 weeks (P = NS vs. placebo). The level of serum triglycerides was increased at 2 (P < 0.05 vs. placebo), but not at 8, weeks. Lipoprotein lipase activity in abdominal and gluteal sc adipose tissue was not affected by active treatment.

In conclusion, treatment with the oral GH secretagogue MK-677 affected circulating lipoproteins. The effects on serum apoA-1, apoE, triglycerides, and mean LDL particle diameter were transient. At study end, the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was decreased. MK-677 treatment did not significantly affect serum Lp(a) concentrations at the present dose and administration protocol.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. D. Veldhuis, J. N. Roemmich, E. J. Richmond, A. D. Rogol, J. C. Lovejoy, M. Sheffield-Moore, N. Mauras, and C. Y. Bowers Endocrine Control of Body Composition in Infancy, Childhood, and Puberty Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2005; 26(1): 114 - 146. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. van der Lely, M. Tschop, M. L. Heiman, and E. Ghigo Biological, Physiological, Pathophysiological, and Pharmacological Aspects of Ghrelin Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2004; 25(3): 426 - 457. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]