Prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome in primary hyperparathyroidism.

AIMS: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is characterized by an increased frequency of glucose tolerance abnormalities associated with insulin resistance. Few studies evaluated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in pHPT and whether there are differences between asymptomatic pHPT patients and symptomatic ones. Thus, we sought to investigate the prevalence of MetS in pHPT patients in comparison to the prevalence of MetS in Italian population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 294 pHPT patients, of these 154 [age (mean ± SD) 58.7 ± 13.3 yr, body mass index 25.6 ± 4.8 kg/m(2); serum calcium (11.3 ± 1.2 mg/dl) 2.8 ± 0.3 mmol/l; PTH 234.8 ± 224.3 ng/l] met the inclusion criteria. A modified National Cholesterol Educational Program (NCEP)/Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) definition of the MetS was used. Prevalence of MetS was compared with that reported for the Italian population (Progetto Cuore Study). RESULTS: The prevalence of the MetS (34/154, 22.1%) was similar to that reported in the general Italian population. Asymptomatic pHPT patients were older (62.1 ± 12.7 vs 56.4 ± 13.2 yr, p<0.008) and showed higher prevalence of MetS than symptomatic ones (30.2% vs 16.5%, p<0.045). Moreover the prevalence of nephrolitiasis or overt bone disease was not different between patients MetS+pHPT compared to MetS-pHPT, whereas femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was higher in MetS+pHPT (p<0.003). In the logistic regression model age and femoral BMD were independent predictors of MetS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MetS in pHPT is not increased in comparison to the general population, thus, its diagnosis is not an appropriate tool to identify the additional cardiovascular risk related to pHPT. Difference in age affects the increased prevalence of MetS in asymptomatic pHPT patients.

Interplay between serum osteocalcin and insulin sensitivity in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Osteocalcin (OC) has been proposed as a regulator of insulin sensitivity in both humans and other animals. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by high OC levels and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether in PHPT the link between OC levels and blood markers of insulin resistance was maintained. In a consecutive series of 219 adult PHPT patients, serum OC as well as fasting insulin and glucose levels were measured. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA2-S%). The same parameters were evaluated in a subgroup of 45 patients after parathyroidectomy (PTX). PHPT patients were characterized by markedly high OC levels. After subdividing them according to glucose tolerance, it was found that OC was similar in subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), while diabetic subjects had lower serum OC than those with NGT (P < 0.02) or IGT (P < 0.04). OC was negatively associated with fasting glucose and positively associated with HOMA2-S%. OC independently predicted HOMA2-S% in a multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of surgically cured PHPT patients, OC levels significantly decreased after PTX, while HOMA2-S% did not change. Our findings indicate that in PHPT there is a positive relationship between OC and glucose metabolism, OC being one of the predictors of insulin sensitivity. However, data in surgically cured patients, showing OC normalization in spite of unchanged HOMA2-S%, suggest that OC does not likely play a major role in affecting insulin sensitivity in PHPT.

Comparison between insulin-induced hypoglycemia and growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone + arginine as provocative tests for the diagnosis of GH deficiency in adults.

There is now wide consensus that, within an appropriate clinical context, GH deficiency (GHD) in adults must be shown biochemically by provocative testing of GH secretion and that appropriate cut-off limits have to be defined for each provocative test. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia (ITT) is indicated as the test of choice, and severe GHD, to be treated with recombinant human GH replacement, is defined by a GH peak response to ITT of less than 3 micrograms/L. GHRH + arginine (GHRH + ARG) is one of the most promising tests in alternative to ITT. In fact, it has been reported as a potent, reproducible, and age-independent test and that it is able to distinguish between GHD and normal adults. The aim of the present study was to compare the GH response to ITT and GHRH + ARG in a large group of hypopituitary adults (n = 40; 29 male and 11 female; age: 36.4 +/- 2.1 yr). The third centile limit of the peak GH response to ITT has been reported as 5 micrograms/L, whereas in our lab, that to GHRH + ARG is 16.5 micrograms/L. In hypopituitary adults, the mean peak GH response to ITT (1.5 +/- 0.2 micrograms/L, range: 0.1-8.5 micrograms/L) was lower (P < 0.001) than that to GHRH + ARG (3.0 +/- 0.4 micrograms/L, range 0.1-12.0 micrograms/L), though there was positive correlation (r = 0.61, P < 0.001) between the GH responses to the 2 tests. The peak GH response to GHRH + ARG, but not that to ITT, was positively (though weakly) associated with insulin-like growth factor-I levels (r = 0.35, P < 0.03). Childhood and adult onset GHD patients, as well as patients with single and multiple pituitary insufficiencies, had similar peak GH responses to ITT or GHRH + ARG. Analyzing individual GH responses, 4/40 (10%) of the hypopituitary patients had GH peaks higher than 5 micrograms/L after ITT; moreover, 3 other patients (7%) had GH peaks, after ITT, higher than 3 micrograms/L. On the other hand, after GHRH + ARG, all patients had GH peaks lower than 16.5 micrograms/L, whereas 21/40 (52.5%) had GH peaks higher than 3 micrograms/L. Because 3 micrograms/L is the arbitrary cut-off for ITT, the third centile limit of which is 5 micrograms/L, we arbitrarily considered 9 micrograms/L as the cut-off point for GHRH + ARG. It is noteworthy that 37/40 (92.5%) patients had a GH peak, after GHRH + ARG, below this limit. In conclusion, our present results confirm that the ITT test is a reliable provocative test for the diagnosis of adult GHD, whereas they show that the GHRH + ARG test is, at least, as sensitive as the ITT test (provided that appropriate cut-off limits are considered). Note that even the arbitrary cut-off point below which severe GHD is demonstrated has to be appropriate to the potency of the test.

Stimulatory effect of adrenocorticotropin on cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone secretion in normal humans: dose-response study.

The short ACTH test is widely used in clinical practice for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. It is classically performed administering 250.0 microg ACTH(1-24) although 1.0 microg ACTH dose has been reported having maximal stimulatory effect on cortisol levels in normal subjects. We aimed to define the maximal and the minimal stimulatory ACTH dose on cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in humans. To this goal, in 12 normal volunteers (6 males and 6 females; age, 22-34 yr; body mass index 20-25 kg/m2; body surface 1.6-1.9 m2), we studied the dose-response effect of eight ACTH doses (0.01, 0.03, 0.06, 0.125, 0.5, 1.0, 25.0, and 250.0 microg) on cortisol, aldosterone, and DHEA levels. Each ACTH dose administered at 0 min was followed by a second ACTH dose of 250.0 microg at +60 min. The cortisol delta areas under response curve (deltaAUCs) after all ACTH doses, apart from 0.01 microg, were significantly higher (P < 0.02) than that after placebo, showing a clear dose-response relationship (P < 0.001). The doses of 0.03 and 1.0 microg ACTH were the minimal and maximal effective doses, respectively. The cortisol response to 250.0 microg ACTH was not modified by pretreatment with 0.01, 0.03, and 0.06 microg ACTH doses, whereas it was progressively reduced by increasing the dose of ACTH pretreatment (P < 0.001). The aldosterone deltaAUCs to all but 0.01 microg ACTH doses were significantly higher (P < 0.02) than that after placebo, showing a clear dose-response relationship (P < 0.001). The dose of 0.03 microg was the minimal effective stimulating dose, whereas 25.0 microg showed the same aldosterone-releasing effect of 250.0 microg. The aldosterone response to 250.0 microg ACTH, preceeded by placebo, was not modified by pretreatment with 0.01 and 0.03 microg ACTH doses, whereas it was reduced by increasing the dose of ACTH pretreatment (P < 0.05-0.02). The DHEA deltaAUCs to all ACTH doses were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that after placebo, showing a clear dose-response relationship (P < 0.001). The doses of 0.01 and 1.0 microg ACTH were the minimal and maximal effective dose, respectively. The DHEA response to 250.0 microg ACTH was not modified by pretreatment with 0.01, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.125 microg ACTH doses, whereas it was progressively reduced by pretreatment with 0.5, 1.0, and 25.0 microg ACTH doses (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these results show that an extremely low ACTH dose is needed to stimulate adrenal steroids and, among them, DHEA seems the most sensitive to corticotropin stimulation.

Retesting young adults with childhood-onset growth hormone (GH) deficiency with GH-releasing-hormone-plus-arginine test.

Within an appropriate clinical context, severe GH deficiency (GHD) in adults has to be defined biochemically by provocative testing of GH secretion. Patients with childhood-onset GHD need retesting in late adolescence or young adulthood to verify whether they have to continue recombinant human GH treatment. GHRH + arginine (GHRH+ARG) is the most reliable alternative to the insulin-induced hypoglycemia test (ITT) as a provocative test for the diagnosis of GHD in adulthood, provided that appropriate cut-off limits are assumed (normal limits, 16.5 microg/L as 3rd and 9.0 microg/L as 1st centile). We studied the GH response to a single GHRH (1 microg/kg iv) + ARG (0.5 g/kg iv) test in 62 young patients who had undergone GH replacement in childhood, based on the following diagnosis: 1) organic hypopituitarism with GHD (oGHD) In = 18: 15 male (M), 3 female (F); age, 26.8+/-2.2 yr; GH peak < 10 microg/L after two classical tests]; 2) idiopathic isolated GHD (iGHD) [n = 23 (15 M, 8 F); age, 23.0+/-1.5 yr; GH peak < 10 microg/L after two classical tests]; and 3) GH neurosecretory dysfunction (GHNSD) [n = 21 (10 M, 11 F); age, 25.1+/-1.6 yr; GH peak > 10 microg/L after classical test but mGHc < 3 microg/L]. The GH responses to GHRH+ARG in these groups were also compared with that recorded in a group of age-matched normal subjects (NS) [n = 48 (20 M, 28 F); age, 27.7+/-0.8 yr]. Insulin-like growth factor I levels in oGHD subjects (61.5+/-13.7 microg/L) were lower (P < 0.001) than those in iGHD subjects (117.2+/-13.1 microg/L); the latter were lower than those in GHNSD subjects (210.2+/-12.9 microg/L), which, in turn, were similar to those in NS (220.9+/-7.1 microg/L). The mean GH peak after GHRH+ARG in oGHD (2.8+/-0.8 microg/L) was lower (P < 0.001) than that in iGHD (18.6+/-4.7 microg/L), which, in turn, was clearly lower (P < 0.001) than that in GHNSD (31.3+/-1.6 microg/L). The GH response in GHNSD was lower than that in NS (65.9+/-5.5 microg/L), but this difference did not attain statistical significance. With respect to the 3rd centile limit of GH response in young adults (i.e. 16.5 microg/L), retesting confirmed GHD in all oGHD, in 65.2% of iGHD, and in none of the GHNSD subjects. With respect to the 1st centile limit of GH response (i.e. 9.0 microg/L), retesting demonstrated severe GHD in 94% oGHD and in 52.1% of iGHD. All oGHD and iGHD with GH peak after GHRH+ARG lower than 9 microg/L had also GH peak lower than 3 microg/L after ITT. In the patients in whom GHD was confirmed by retesting, the mean GH peak after GHRH+ARG was higher than that after ITT (3.4+/-0.5 vs. 1.9+/-0.4). In conclusion, given appropriate cut-off limits, GHRH+ARG is as reliable as ITT for retesting patients who had undergone GH treatment in childhood. Among these patients, severe GHD in adulthood is generally confirmed in oGHD, is frequent in iGHD, but never occurs in GHNSD.

Comparisons among old and new provocative tests of GH secretion in 178 normal adults.

Classical provocative stimuli of GH secretion such as insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, arginine, clonidine, glucagon and levodopa have been widely used in clinical practice for approximately 30 years. On the other hand, in the last 10 years new potent stimuli of GH secretion have been proposed, but an extensive comparison with the classical ones has rarely been performed, at least in adults. In order to compare the GH-releasing activity of old and new provocative stimuli of GH secretion, and to define the normative values of the GH response, in 178 normal adults (95 males, 83 females; age range: 20-50 years, all within +/-15% of their ideal body weight), we studied the GH response to: insulin-induced hypoglycaemia (ITT, 0.1IU/kg i.v.), arginine (ARG, 0.5g/kg i.v.), clonidine (CLO, 300 microg/kg p.o.), glucagon (GLU, 1mg i.m.), pyridostigmine (PD, 120mg p.o.), galanin (GAL, 80pmol/kg per min), GH-releasing hormone (GHRH, 1 microg/kg i.v.), GHRH+ARG, GHRH+PD, hexarelin, a GH-releasing protein (HEX, 2 microg/kg i.v.) and GHRH+HEX (0.25 microg/kg i.v.). The mean (+/-s.e.m.) peak GH response to ITT (21.8+/-2.8, range: 3.0-84.0 microg/l) was similar to those to ARG (18.0+/-1.6, range: 2.9-39.5 microg/l) or GLU (20. 5+/-2.2, range: 10.6-36.9 microg/l) which, in turn, were higher (P<0. 001) than those to CLO (8.2+/-1.6, range: 0.3-21.5 microg/l), PD (9. 6+/-1.1, range: 2.2-33.0 microg/l) and GAL (9.3+/-1.1, range: 3.9-18. 3 microg/l). The GH response to GHRH (19.1+/-1.5, range: 2.7-55.0 microg/l) was similar to those after ITT, ARG or GLU but clearly lower than those after GHRH+ARG (65.9+/-5.5, range: 13.8-171.0 microg/l) and GHRH+PD (50.2+/-4.6, range: 17.7-134.5 microg/l) which, in turn, were similar. The GH response to HEX (55.3+/-5.5, range: 13.9-163.5 microg/l) was similar to those after GHRH+ARG and GHRH+PD but lower (P<0.001) than that after GHRH+HEX (86.0+/-4.3, range: 49. 0-125.0 microg/l) which was the most potent stimulus of GH secretion. In this adult population the third centile limits of peak GH response to various stimuli were the following: ITT: 5.3; ARG: 2.9; CLO: 1.5; GLU: 7.6; PD: 2.2; GAL: 4.0; GHRH: 5.0; GHRH+ARG: 17.8; GHRH+PD: 17.9; HEX: 21.6; GHRH+HEX: 57.1. These results confirm that, among classical provocative tests of GH secretion, ITT followed by ARG and GLU are the most potent ones and possess clear limits of normality. GHRH+ARG or PD and HEX are strong stimuli of GH secretion which, however, is maximally stimulated by a combination of GHRH and a low dose of HEX. It is recommended that each test is used with appropriate cut-off limits.

Acute administration of recombinant human growth hormone inhibits the somatotrope responsiveness to growth hormone-releasing hormone in childhood.

In adulthood the growth hormone (GH) response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is inhibited by previous acute administration of either GH or GHRH and it is restored by substances that inhibit hypothalamic somatostatin release. Because in children the GH response to GHRH is not affected by previous neurohormone administration, it has been suggested that in childhood a GH increase is not able to trigger the somatostatin-mediated negative GH autofeedback mechanism. To verify this hypothesis, in 25 children (8 girls and 17 boys; 15 prepubertal and 10 in pubertal stages II-IV) with familial short stature (normal height velocity and insulin-like growth factor I levels) we studied the effect of acute i.v. administration of different recombinant human GH doses (group 1, N = 5, 0.06 U/kg; group 2, N = 6, 0.01 U/kg; group 3, N = 7, 0.005 U/kg at - 150 min) or saline on the GH response to GHRH (1 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min). In another group (N = 7), we studied the effect of 0.005 U/kg iv recombinant human GH or saline on the GH response to GHRH combined with arginine (0.5 g/kg i.v. over 30 min), which likely inhibits hypothalamic somatostatin release. Serum GH increases after recombinant human GH were dose-dependent (GH peak, mean +/- SEM, 171.7 +/- 24.4, 33.3 +/- 3.9 and 21.8 +/- 5.1 micrograms/l, respectively). The administration of recombinant human GH strongly inhibited the GHRH-induced GH rise in all groups (group 1, 7.1 +/- 1.7 vs 23.1 +/- 7.6 micrograms/l, p < 0.05; group 2, 9.5 +/- 2.8 vs 26.9 +/- 8.5 micrograms/l, p < 0.05; group 3, 9.1 +/- 2.7 vs 34.8 +/- 7.2 micrograms/l, p < 0.02). The GH response to arginine + GHRH (56.9 +/- 13.3 micrograms/l) was higher than that to GHRH alone recorded in group 1 (p < 0.005), group 2 (p < 0.01) and group 3 (p < 0.01), while exogenous recombinant human GH failed to inhibit it (45.0 +/- 9.4 micrograms/l). Our results demonstrate that in childhood, as well as in adulthood, recombinant human GH administration inhibits the somatotrope responsiveness to GHRH. This inhibitory effect is likely to be mediated by hypothalamic somatostatin release.

The GH, prolactin, ACTH and cortisol responses to Hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, undergo different age-related variations.

Hexarelin (HEX) is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) which acts on specific receptors at both the pituitary and the hypothalamic level to stimulate GH release in an age-dependent manner. Like other GHRPs, HEX possesses also prolactin (PRL) and ACTH/cortisol-releasing activity. similar to that of human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH). The mechanisms underlying the stimulatory effect of GHRPs on lactotrope and corticotrope secretion are even less clear and the influence of age on these endocrine activities of GHRPs is unknown. To clarify this point we studied the GH, PRL, ACTH and cortisol responses to the maximal effective dose of HEX (2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.) in: 12 prepubertal children (Pre-C, 8 male, 4 female, age 5.8-12.1 years); 12 pubertal normal short children (Pub-C, 5 male, 7 female, age 9.7-15.5 years, pubertal stage II-IV); 20 normal young adults (Young, 6 males, 14 females, age 23-32 years); and in 16 normal elderly people (Elderly, 5 male, 11 female, age 66-81 years). The GH response to HEX was clear in Pre-C (0-120 min area under curve, mean +/- S.E.M. 769.5 +/- 122.2 micrograms*min/l) but strikingly increased (P < 0.001) in Pub-C (1960.2 +/- 283.5 micrograms*min/l). The HEX-induced GH rise in Young (1829.7 +/- 243.1 micrograms*min/l) persisted similar to that in Pub-C, but decreased in Elderly (951.1 +/- 232.9 micrograms*min/I, P < 0.005); the latter was, in turn, similar to that in Pre-C. HEX induced a significant PRL increase which, however, showed no age-related variations, being similar in Pre-C (512.1 +/- 88.0 micrograms*min/l), Pub-C (584.0 +/- 106.0 micrograms*min/l), Young (554.9 +/- 56.0 micrograms*min/l) and Elderly (523.9 +/- 59.6 micrograms*min/l). The ACTH-releasing activity of HEX was present in Pre-C (1356.6 +/- 204.9 pg*min/ml) and was clearly enhanced (P < 0.02) in Pub-C (2253.5 +/- 242.8 pg*min/ml). The ACTH rise after HEX in Young (1258.1 +/- 141.2pg*min/ml) was lower (P < 0.02) than that in Pub-C and similar to that in Pre-C, while the ACTH response to HEX in Elderly (1786.5 +/- 340.1 pg*min/ml) showed a further trend toward increase, being similar to that in Pub-C. On the other hand, the cortisol response to HEX showed no significant age-related variations, being not different in Pre-C (7747.2 +/- 1031.6 micrograms*min/l), Pub-C (6106.0 +/- 862.9 micrograms*min/l), Young (6827.5 +/- 509.6 micrograms*min/I) and Elderly (7950.6 +/- 658.3 micrograms*min/l). In conclusion, our present data demonstrate that in humans the GH- and ACTH-releasing activities of HEX undergo different age-related variations, while its PRL-releasing activity is not dependent on age. These finding suggest that actions at different levels and/or on different receptor subtypes mediate the different age-related hormonal effects of GHRPs.

Reproducibility of the growth hormone response to stimulation with growth hormone-releasing hormone plus arginine during lifespan.

The reliability and reproducibility of provocative stimuli of growth hormone (GH) secretion in the diagnosis of GH deficiency are still controversial both in childhood and in adulthood. The combined administration of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and arginine (ARG), which likely acts via inhibition of hypothalamic somatostatin release, is one of the most potent stimuli known so far and has been proposed recently as the best test to explore the maximal somatotrope capacity of somatotrope cells. However, it is well known that, usually, provocative stimuli of GH secretion suffer from poor reproducibility and that of the GHRH + ARG test has still to be verified. We aimed to verify the between- and within-subject variability of the GH response to the GHRH + ARG test in normal subjects during their lifespan as well as in hypopituitaric patients with GH deficiency (GHD). In 10 normal children (C: six male and four female, age 12.3 +/- 0.9 years, body mass index (BMI) = 16.6 +/- 0.7 kg/m2, pubertal stages I-III), 18 normal young adults (Y: ten male and eight female, age 31.1 +/- 1.3 years, BMI = 21.4 +/- 0.4 kg/m2), 12 normal elderly subjects (E: two male and ten female, age 74.4 +/- 1.8 years, BMI= 22.6 +/- 0.6 kg/m2) and 15 panhypopituitaric GH-deficient patients (GHD: nine male and six female, age 40.9 +/- 4.1 years, BMI= 22.7 +/- 1.0 kg/m2), we studied the inter- and intra-individual variability of the GH response to GHRH (1 microg/kg i.v.) + ARG (0.5 g/kg i.v.) in two different sessions at least 3 days apart. The GH responses to GHRH + ARG in C (1st vs 2nd session: 61.6 +/- 8.1 vs 66.5 +/- 9.4 microg/l), Y (70.4 +/- 10.1 vs 76.2 10.7 microg/l) and E (57.9 14.8 vs 52.1 +/- 8.0 microg/l) were similar and reproducible in all groups. The somatotrope responsiveness to GHRH + ARG also showed a limited within-subject variability (r = 0.71, 0.90 and 0.89 and p < 0.02, 0.0005 and 0.0005 for C, Y and E, respectively). Similarly in GHD, the GH response to the GHRH + ARG test showed a good inter- (1st vs 2nd session: 2.3 +/- 0.5 vs 2.2 +/- 0.6 microg/l) and intra-individual reproducibility (r = 0.70, p < 0.005). The GHRH + ARG-induced GH responses in GHD were markedly lower (p < 0.0005) than those in age-matched controls and no overlap was found between GH peak responses in GHD and normal subjects. In normal subjects, the GH response to GHRH + ARG is very marked, independent of age and shows limited inter- and intra-individual variability. The GH response to the GHRH + ARG test is strikingly reduced in panhypopituitaric patients with GHD, in whom the low somatotrope responsiveness is reproducible. Thus, these findings strengthen the hypothesis that GHRH + ARG should be considered the most reliable test to evaluate the maximal secretory capacity of somatotrope cells and to distinguish normal subjects from GHD patients in adulthood.

GH response to GHRH combined with pyridostigmine or arginine in different conditions of low somatotrope secretion in adulthood: obesity and Cushing's syndrome in comparison with hypopituitarism.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing GH deficiency in adults is difficult due to the age-related variations of GH/IGF-I axis and the influence of nutrition. Nowadays, GH replacement is allowed for patients with GH peak to provocative stimuli < 3 micrograms/L. Somatotrope insufficiency is present in hypopituitarism but also in obesity and hypercortisolism. However, to evaluate GH insufficiency in adults is difficult due to variations of GH and IGF-I levels as function of age and nutrition status. METHODS: We aimed to verify the GH response to GHRH (1 microgram/kg i.v.) combined with pyridostigmine (PD, 120 mg p.o.) or arginine (ARG, 0.5 g/kg i.v.), in 26 hypopituitaric patients (GHD), in 11 obese women (OB), in 8 women with Cushing's syndrome (CS), and in 72 control subjects (NS). RESULTS: IGF-l levels in GHD were lower than those in OB (p < 0.01) and in CS (p < 0.01) which, in turn, were lower to those in NS (p < 0.02). In NS, the GH peak responses to GHRH + PD and GHRH + ARG were similar and the minimum normal GH peak was 16.5 micrograms/L. GHD had GH responses similar, lower than those in NS (p < 0.01) and always below the normal limit. However, only 12/20 and 8/14 had peaks < 3 micrograms/L; conventionally, below this limit severe GH deficiency is shown and rhGH replacement is allowed. In OB, the GH responses to GHRH + PD and GHRH + ARG were similar, lower (p < 0.01) and higher (p < 0.01) than those in NS and GHD, respectively. Six out of 11 OB had GH peaks below the normal limits but nobody < 3 micrograms/L. In CS the GH response to GHRH + PD was lower than that to GHRH + ARG (p < 0.01); both these responses were lower than those in NS (p < 0.01) and even in OB (p < 0.01) but higher than those in GHD (p < 0.01). All and 7/8 CS had GH peaks lower than normal limits after PD + GHRH and ARG + GHRH, respectively while 6/8 showed GH peak < 3 micrograms/L after PD + GHRH but only 1 after ARG + GHRH. CONCLUSIONS: Present data demonstrate that the maximal somatotrope secretory capacity is reduced in OB and even more in CS. From a diagnostic point of view, PD + GHRH and ARG + GHRH tests distinguish OB from severe GHD. As hypercortisolism impairs the activity of cholinesterase inhibitors, only ARG + GHRH, but not PD + GHRH is a reliable test to explore the maximal somatotrope secretory capacity in CS. Notably, even with the ARG + GHRH test, in CS the maximal somatotrope secretory capacity is sometimes so reduced as to overlap with that of severe GHD.

IGF-I levels in prepubertal and pubertal children with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Growth retardation is a main feature of Down syndrome but it is still unclear whether an alteration of the GH/IGF-I axis is present in this condition. Concerning IGF-I levels, they have been found reduced by some authors but normal by others. METHODS: On these bases, IGF-I levels have been assessed from prepubertal to late pubertal stages of gonadal maturation in a large group of children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS, 68 M, 45 F, 12.5 +/- 0.6 yr; prepubertal n = 39, pubertal n = 74) with those in a group of normal children and adolescents (NS, 75 M, 87 F; 11.1 +/- 0.4 yr; prepubertal n = 94, pubertal n = 68). RESULTS: Within each group, IGF-I levels were gender-independent while showed age-related variations with positive association with pubertal stage--peaking up in pubertal stage IV--(DS: r = 0.6, NS: r = 0.4, both p < 0.0001) and testosterone (DS: r = 0.6, NS: r = 0.5, p < 0.001) or estradiol (DS: r = 0.6, NS: r = 0.5, p < 0.001) levels. Considering whole groups, mean IGF-I levels in DS were slightly but significantly lower than those in NS (257.9 +/- 12.5 vs 310.8 +/- 12.6 micrograms/l, p < 0.02). Analyzing individual IGF-I levels in DS with respect to normal ranges per pubertal stage, more than 85% of IGF-I levels resulted within the normal limits. These results demonstrate that IGF-I levels in DS patients are generally within the normal range--though a slight reduction of mean IGF-I levels is present--and follow normal age-related variations with clear cut increase at puberty and positive association with gonadal steroid levels. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence points toward the need to clarify the GH/IGF-I axis function and activity in DS patients.

GH response to GHRH combined with pyridostigmine or arginine in different conditions of low somatotrope secretion in adulthood: obesity and Cushing's syndrome in comparison with hypopituitarism.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing GH deficiency in adults is difficult due to the age-related variations of GH/IGF-I axis and the influence of nutrition. Nowadays, GH replacement is allowed for patients with GH peak to provocative stimuli < 3 micrograms/L. Somatotrope insufficiency is present in hypopituitarism but also in obesity and hypercortisolism. However, to evaluate GH insufficiency in adults is difficult due to variations of GH and IGF-I levels as function of age and nutrition status. METHODS: We aimed to verify the GH response to GHRH (1 mg/kg i.v.) combined with pyridostigmine (PD, 120 mg p.o.) or arginine (ARG, 0.5 g/kg i.v.), in 26 hypopituitaric patients (GHD), in 11 obese women (OB), in 8 women with Cushing's syndrome (CS), and in 72 control subjects (NS). RESULTS: IGF-I levels in GHD were lower than those in OB (p < 0.01) and in CS (p < 0.01) which, in turn, were lower to those in NS (p < 0.02). In NS, the GH peak responses to GHRH + PD and GHRH + ARG were similar and the minimum normal GH peak was 16.5 mg/L. GHD had GH responses similar, lower than those in NS (p < 0.01) and always below the normal limit. However, only 12/20 and 8/14 had peaks < 3 micrograms/L; conventionally, below this limit severe GH deficiency is shown and rhGH replacement is allowed. In OB, the GH responses to GHRH + PD and GHRH + ARG were similar, lower (p < 0.01) and higher (p < 0.01) than those in NS and GHD, respectively. Six out of 11 OB had GH peaks below the normal limits but nobody < 3 micrograms/L. In CS, the GH response to GHRH + PD was lower than that to GHRH + ARG (p < 0.01); both these responses were lower than those in NS (p < 0.01) and even in OB (p < 0.01) but higher than those in GHD (p < 0.01). All and 7/8 CS had GH peaks lower than normal limits after PD + GHRH and ARG + GHRH, respectively while 6/8 showed GH peak < 3 micrograms/L after PD + GHRH but only 1 after ARG + GHRH. CONCLUSIONS: Present data demonstrate that the maximal somatotrope secretory capacity is reduced in OB and even more in CS. From a diagnostic point of view, PD + GHRH and ARG + GHRH tests distinguish OB from severe GHD. As hypercortisolism impairs the activity of cholinesterase inhibitors, only ARG + GHRH, but not PD + GHRH is a reliable test to explore the maximal somatotrope secretory capacity in CS. Notably, even with the ARG + GHRH test, in CS the maximal somatotrope secretory capacity is sometimes so reduced as to overlap with that of severe GHD.

Growth hormone deficiency in the transition adolescent: should treatment be continued in adult life?

Adults with growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) have impaired health, which improves with GH replacement. GHD in adulthood leads to impairment in body composition and structure functions as well as to deranged lipoprotein and carbohydrate metabolism leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity. Therefore the transition adolescent in whom severe GHD is confirmed has to continue GH replacement with an appropriate age-related dosage. All short children who have been treated with rhGH for classical and non-classical GHD should be suspected as potentially GHD in adulthood though only in classical organic and idiopathic forms is severe GHD likely to be confirmed. GHD must be shown biochemically by single provocative testing. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia (ITT) and GHRH + arginine are the tests of choice provided that appropriate cutoff limits are assumed; these tests show good specificity and sensitivity. Testing with GHRH + GH secretagogues is another reliable alternative. Low IGF-I levels can be definitive evidence of persistent severe GHD in patients with genetic GHD or panhypopituitarism, but normal IGF-I levels do not rule out severe GHD. Individual titration of the rhGH dose is recommended and measurement of IGF-I levels is needed for monitoring the adequacy of replacement. The mean GH dose for replacement in the transition adolescent, however, is still higher than in adulthood; after puberty the rhGH dose should be progressively decreased in the following years (probably up to 25 years old) in order to obtain optimal peak bone mass.

Effects of phenylalanine, histidine, and leucine on basal and GHRH-stimulated GH secretion and on PRL, insulin, and glucose levels in short children. Comparison with the effects of arginine.

Of the amino acids arginine is the most potent GH secretagogue in man. It potentiates the GH response to GHRH, exerts a weaker PRL-releasing effect, stimulates insulin and glucagon and induces a biphasic glucose variation. The potency and effects of other amino acids on pituitary and pancreatic hormones need to be clarified. In 43 children with normal short stature (5.3-14.0 yr; 30 M and 13 F) the effects of the infusion of phenylalanine (Phe, 0.08 g/kg), histidine (His, 0.1 g/kg), and leucine (Leu, 0.08 g/kg) on basal and GHRH-stimulated GH secretion and on PRL, insulin and glucose levels were studied and compared with those of arginine at high (hArg, 0.5 g/kg) or low dose (lArg, 0.2 g/kg). Phe increased basal (p < 0.05) but not GHRH-stimulated GH levels, induced PRL and insulin rises (p < 0.03 and p < 0.03), and did not change glycemia. Though a trend toward an increase in basal GH levels was found after His, His and Leu did not significantly modify either basal or GHRH-induced GH secretion nor basal PRL, insulin and glucose levels. Both hArg and lArg increased basal (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and GHRH-stimulated GH levels (p < 0.006 and p < 0.006). hArg increased both PRL (p < 0.002) and insulin levels (p < 0.005) more (p < 0.0005 and p < 0.004) than lArg (p < 0.005 and p < 0.005), while glucose levels showed a similar increase followed by a similar decrease. We conclude that in childhood: a) Phe significantly increases GH secretion but, differently from Arg, does not potentiate the response to GHRH, suggesting different mechanisms of action of these amino acids; b) differently from His and Leu, Phe is a PRL and insulin secretagogue but is less potent than Arg; c) Arg has the highest stimulatory effect on pituitary and pancreatic hormones.

Sequential administration of arginine and arginine plus GHRH to test somatotroph function in short children.

The hormonal diagnosis of GH deficiency in childhood is conventionally based on the GH response to at least two provocative stimuli. Among these, arginine (ARG) has long been considered a classical, centrally mediated stimulus of GH secretion. ARG is also able to potentiate the GH response to GHRH, likely inhibiting hypothalamic somatostatin; this combined test is one of the most potent to explore the maximal secretory capacity of somatotroph cells. Based on these premises, we verified whether the sequential administration of ARG and ARG+GHRH could be feasible as single step provocative test to evaluate the GH releasable pool in short children. To this goal, 48 normal short children (35 M and 13 F, 12.0+/-0.4 yr, PS 1: 255 II-IV: 23) underwent a test with ARG (0.5 g/kg i.v. from 0 to +30 min) followed by a coadministration of ARG (from +120 to 150 min) plus GHRH (1 microg/kg i.v. at +120 min). ARG alone elicited a clear GH response (mean peak vs baseline: 12.1+/-1.7 vs 2.0+/-0.4 microg/l, p<0.001, Cmax range 12-51.0 microg/l). Following this GH rise, the hormonal levels at +120 min approached to baseline levels (4.2+/-0.8 microg/l) but then showed marked response to the coadministration of ARG+GHRH. The GH peak following ARG+GHRH (mean peak: 47.8+/-3.3 microg/l, p<0.001; Cmax 22.4-150.0 microg/l) was clearly higher (p<0.001) than that recorded after ARG alone. The GH responses to both ARG and ARG+GHRH were independent of gender, puberty, height velocity, body mass index (BMI) and IGF-I levels. Nine normal short children (16%) had GH peaks lower than 7 microg/l after ARG alone, while none showed GH peak below 20 microg/l after ARG+GHRH. Thus, ARG alone is a good stimulus of GH secretion but false positive responses frequently occur in normal short children. ARG+GHRH is a more potent stimulus giving no false positive responses even after previous challenge with ARG alone. Testing with sequential administration of ARG and ARG+GHRH may allow the single step evaluation of the somatotroph response to central and pituitary stimuli in short children.

Usefulness of IGF-I assay for the diagnosis of GH deficiency in adults.

IGF-I is the best marker of GH secretory status but it also depends on the nutritional status and peripheral hormones such as insulin, glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones and gonadal steroids. Though monitoring IGF-I levels is the best way for evaluating appropriate GH replacement, the usefulness of IGF-I assay in the diagnosis of adult GH deficiency (GHD) is still matter of debate. To clarify this point in a large population of GHD adults (no. = 135, 61 women and 74 men; age, mean +/- SE: 43.8 +/- 1.4 yr, range 20-80 yr) we studied IGF-I levels, their reproducibility and association to peak GH response to GHRH + arginine (GHRH + ARG) test and insulin tolerance test (ITT). The results in GHD were compared with those in a large population of normal subjects (no. = 336, 233 women and 103 men, aged 20-80 yr). Mean IGF-I levels in GHD (77.8 +/- 4.9 micrograms/l) were clearly lower (p < 0.001) than those in normal subjects (170.2 +/- 4.7 micrograms/l). In Childhood Onset GHD (CO-GHD; no. = 40; age, mean +/- SE: 27.8 +/- 1.5 yr) IGF-I levels were lower than those in Adult Onset GHD (AO-GHD; no. = 95, age, mean +/- SE: 50.7 +/- 1.4 yr) (56.6 +/- 9.7 vs 87.1 +/- 5.4 micrograms/l, p < 0.0003). In both GHD and normal subjects IGF-I levels showed good, reproducibility (r = 0.92, p < 0.00001 and r = 0.62, p < 0.00001, respectively). In GHD, but not in normal subjects, IGF-I levels were positively associated to peak GH responses to GHRH + ARG (r = 0.57, p < 0.00001); on the other hand, the GH peak after ITT was not associated to IGF-I in GHD. In normal subjects, but not in GHD, IGF-I levels were negatively associated to age (r = -0.60, p < 0.00001). Considering individual IGF-I levels there was a clear overlap between GHD and normal subjects. However, this overlap was strongly dependent on age. In fact, in the third and fourth decade of life 83.6% of GHD had IGF-I levels below the 3rd centile of normal values; on the other hand, in the fifth-sixth decade and in ageing 47% and only 12% of GHD, respectively, had IGF-I levels low for age. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that IGF-I levels represent a reproducible marker of GH status and are reduced more in CO-GHD than in AO-GHD adults. An overlap exists between GHD and normal subjects, however this is small up to the 4th decade of life. Thus, though normal IGF-I levels do not rule out the existence of GHD, up to 40 yr low IGF-I levels strongly point to GHD if malnutrition and liver disease have been ruled out.

The negative GH auto-feedback in childhood: effects of rhGH and/or GHRH on the somatotroph response to GHRH or hexarelin, a peptidyl GH secretagogue, in children.

Aim of the present study was to further clarify the negative GH auto-feedback mechanisms in childhood. To this goal we studied the effects of rhGH and/or GHRH administration on the GH response to GHRH or hexarelin (HEX), a peptidyl GH secretagogue, in normal short children. In 34 prepubertal children (12 girls and 22 boys, age 8.2- 14.2 yr) with normal short stature (normal height velocity and IGF-I levels) the following tests were performed: group A (no.=11): GHRH (GHRH 1 - 29, Geref, Serono; 1 microg/kg iv at 150 min) preceded by saline or GHRH at 0 min; group B (no.=6): GHRH preceded by saline or rhGH (0.005 IU/kg iv at 0 min); group C (no.=6): GHRH preceded by rhGH alone or combined with GHRH; group D (no.=6): HEX (2 microg/kg iv at 150 min) alone or preceded by rhGH. In group A, the GH response to GHRH was not modified by pre-treatment with GHRH (GH peak, mean+/-SEM: 16.7+/-2.9 vs 15.1+/-2.3 microg/l, respectively). In group B, the GH response to GHRH was clearly inhibited by rhGH (8.7+/-2.3 vs 38.8+/-4.5 microg/l, p<0.001); the GH rise after rhGH in group B overlapped with that after GHRH in group A. In group C, the GH response to GHRH after pre-treatment with rhGH (13.2+/-4.0 microg/l) was similar to that in group B and was not significantly modified by pre-treatment with rhGH+ GHRH (6.9+/-2.7 microg/l); the GH rise after rhGH+GHRH was higher (p<0.05) than that after rhGH alone. In group D, the GH response to HEX was significantly blunted by pre-treatment with rhGH (34.1+/-11.7 vs 51.2+/-17.9 microg/l, p<0.05). Our results demonstrate that in childhood the somatotroph response to GHRH is preserved after GHRH while it is inhibited after rhGH administration, which is also able to blunt the GH response to HEX. Thus, the somatostatin-mediated negative GH auto-feedback is already operative in childhood; the reason why the GHRH- induced GH rise is not inhibited by GHRH pre-treatment is unexplained.

Hypopituitaric patients with corticotropin insufficiency show marked impairment of the cortisol response to ACTH (1-24) independently of the duration of the disease.

It is widely accepted that the classical dose of 250.0 microg ACTH (1-24) (tetracosactin) is clearly supra-maximal while 1.0 and 0.03 microg have been shown as the maximal and the lowest stimulatory ACTH doses for cortisol (F) secretion in normal young subjects. Testing with low ACTH dose would better evaluate adrenal sensitivity to corticotropin. The aims of the present study were: a) to clarify the adrenal sensitivity to ACTH in patients with different duration of corticotroph insufficiency by testing with low and very low tetracosactin doses; and b) to evaluate diagnostic implication regarding the ability of ACTH tests to distinguish patients with corticotroph insufficiency from normal subjects. In 24 hypopituitaric patients (HYPOPIT, 15 male and 9 female, age 22-50 yr, BMI: 22-26 kg/m2) with corticotrophin deficiency we studied the F, DHEA and aldosterone (A) responses to challenges with low ACTH doses (0.06 or 0.5 microg iv at 0 min) followed by 250 microg iv (at +60 min). The results in HYPOPIT were compared with those recorded in 12 normal controls (NS, 6 male and 6 female, age 22-34 yr, BMI: 20-25 kg/m2). Basal F and DHEA levels in HYPOPIT were lower than in NS, while A levels were similar in both groups. The F responses to ACTH in HYPOPIT were dose-independent and markedly lower (p < 0.0001) than in NS. After the 0.06 and 0.5 microg ACTH dose, 16% of HYPOPIT patients showed AF peak within the range of normal response. No HYPOPIT showed AF peak within the normal range after 250 microg ACTH. The DHEA responses to ACTH in HYPOPIT were dose-independent and markedly lower than in NS (p < 0.0001). Overlap between individual DHEA responses in HYPOPIT and NS was present after 0.06 microg and 0.5 microg but not after 250 microg tetracosactin. The A responses in HYPOPIT were dose-dependent and overlapped with those in NS. The adrenal responses to ACTH in HYPOPIT were not associated with the duration of the disease. In conclusion, the present study shows that the mean F and DHEA but not the A responses to ACTH (1-24) are markedly impaired in hypopituitaric patients with corticotroph insufficiency independently of the duration of the disease. The impaired F and DHEA response to ACTH is also independent of the dose, suggesting the existence of relatively enhanced sensitivity of the fasciculata and reticularis adrenal zone to ACTH but meantime remarkable impairment of the adrenal function due to corticotrophin deficiency. In the present study, testing with submaximal ACTH doses did not distinguish patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency from normal subjects.