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The Cardiovascular Risk of Adult GH Deficiency (GHD) Improved after GH Replacement and Worsened in Untreated GHD: A 12-Month Prospective Study

Departments of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology (A.Co., C.D.S., R.P., G.L.), Biomorphological and Functional Sciences, Nuclear Medicine Center of the National Council of Research (A.Cu., M.S.), and Internal Medicine I (L.S., D.B.), "Federico II" University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy; and Scientific Institute for Research and Care Neuromed (R.P., A.Cu.), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Annamaria Colao, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, "Federico II" University of Naples, via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. E-mail: . colao{at}unina.it

Abstract

Increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were reported in GH deficiency (GHD), and GH replacement can ameliorate cardiac abnormalities of adult GHD patients. To test the potential progression of untreated GHD on the cardiovascular risk and cardiac function, cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac size, and performance were prospectively evaluated in 15 GHD patients (age, 18–56 yr) who were treated with recombinant GH at the dose of 0.15–1.0 mg/d, 15 GHD patients (age, 18–56 yr) who refused GH replacement, and 30 healthy subjects (age, 18–53 yr).

Electrocardiogram, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate measurement, serum IGF-I, total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein (LDL, HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and fibrinogen level assay, echocardiography, and equilibrium radionuclide angiography were performed basally and after 12 months.

At study entry, low IGF-I levels, unfavorable lipid profile, and inadequate cardiac and physical performance were found in GHD patients compared with controls. After 12 months of GH treatment, IGF-I levels normalized; HDL-cholesterol levels, left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMi), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at peak exercise, peak filling rate, exercise duration and capacity significantly increased; total- and LDL-cholesterol levels significantly decreased. After 12 months in GH-untreated GHD patients, IGF-I levels remained stable, and HDL-cholesterol levels, LVEF both at rest and at peak exercise, and exercise capacity were further reduced; total- and LDL-cholesterol levels increased slightly. LVEF at rest and its response at peak exercise normalized in 60 and 53.3%, respectively, of GH-treated patients and in none of the GH-untreated patients.

In conclusion, 12 months of GH replacement normalized IGF-I and improved lipid profile and cardiac performance in adult GHD patients. A similar period of GH deprivation induced a further impairment of lipid profile and cardiac performance. This finding strongly supports the need of GH replacement in adult GHD patients.

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