Filling the treatment gap in the weight management of overweight and obese patients.

Approximately two out of three adult Americans are overweight or obese. Despite widespread recognition of this disorder, there has been little progress in the past 20 years in finding effective noninvasive treatments for weight loss. The consequences of obesity are increasingly well recognized and include increases in blood pressure, plasma lipids, the onset of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma, osteoarthritis and a variety of cancers. Obesity can increase the rate of pregnancy complications and fetal malformations in normoglycemic women. Current medical approaches to obesity, including intensive lifestyle interventions and drug therapies, have been successful in achieving modest weight loss of 4-7%, less than the 1998 NIH Guidelines target of 10%. Surgical approaches, including laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, vertical banded gastroplasty and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, are much more successful, achieving weight loss of 15-50%. A treatment gap therefore exists in the management of obese and overweight patients, because many patients desire and would receive great health benefits by achieving weight loss of 7-15%. This review will discuss the dilemma of the treatment gap and explore possible ways by which it may be filled in the future by the use of innovative approaches.

Changes in thyroid hormone levels during growth hormone therapy in initially euthyroid patients: lack of need for thyroxine supplementation.

The occurrence of central hypothyroidism in previously euthyroid children during GH therapy has been reported with widely varying incidence. We monitored the acute effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in 15 euthyroid children with classic GH deficiency during the first year of GH therapy. All were initially euthyroid, as assessed by normal baseline TSH, T4, free T4, and T3 levels and negative antithyroid antibodies. A thyroid profile (T4, free T4 index, T3, rT3, and TSH) was performed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12-15 months after GH therapy began; a TRH stimulation test was performed at baseline and after 1, 3, and 9 months of therapy. By 1 month, there were significant decreases in T4, free T4 index, and rT3, and significant increases in T3 and the T3/T4 ratio. The changes from baseline values were greatest at 1 month, were almost universal for all thyroid values, and showed a gradual return to baseline from 3-12 months. There were no clinical signs of hypothyroidism and no change in baseline or TRH-stimulated TSH levels or in cholesterol levels, and all patients grew at velocities expected for the treatment schedule. There is little evidence for the development of clinically significant hypothyroidism in the great majority of initially euthyroid patients after GH therapy is begun. T4 supplementation is seldom needed in such patients.

Hemodynamic effects of transurethral alprostadil measured by color duplex ultrasonography in men with erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the hemodynamic effects of transurethral alprostadil in 21 patients with erectile dysfunction using color duplex ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Penile arterial diameter, peak flow velocity and end diastolic velocity were compared following intraurethral administration of 500 microg. alprostadil and intracavernosal injection of 10 microg. alprostadil. RESULTS: A dose of 500 microg. transurethral alprostadil resulted in significant increases in corporeal blood flow comparable to those achieved with intracavernosal injection of 10 microg. alprostadil as measured by duplex ultrasonography in men with erectile dysfunction. Transurethral alprostadil resulted in statistically significant increases in arterial diameter and peak flow velocity comparable to those achieved with intracavernosal injection. End diastolic velocities were higher after transurethral alprostadil than intracavernosal injections. Color ultrasonography following transurethral alprostadil showed arterial and venous hyperemia of the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa. Furthermore, color ultrasonography revealed communicating vessels between the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa following administration of transurethral alprostadil. CONCLUSIONS: The visualization of communicating vessels between the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa after transurethral alprostadil suggests local mechanisms of drug transfer from one to the other. In addition to potential clinical benefits, transurethral alprostadil may be useful to visualize the vascular anatomy of the penis and to test for patient responsiveness to local vasoactive agents.

Efficacy and safety of transurethral alprostadil in patients with erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: A retrospective analysis of the MUSE clinical trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transurethral alprostadil in patients with erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients received doses of transurethral alprostadil in the clinic and those for whom a suitable dose was determined were treated at home with active drug or placebo for 3 months. Patients had undergone radical prostatectomy no less than 3 months before study entry. RESULTS: Of the 384 patients in whom radical prostatectomy was identified as a cause of erectile dysfunction 70.3% had an erection believed sufficient for intercourse in the clinic and 57.1% on active medication had sexual intercourse at least once at home. The product of clinic and home success rates (70.3 x 57.1%) was an overall success rate (the likelihood of active treatment to lead to intercourse at home) of 40.1%. The frequency of most adverse effects of radical prostatectomy was comparable to that of other organic etiologies of erectile dysfunction (1,127 patients). The percentage of patients with hypotension in the clinic was lower after radical prostatectomy compared to other erectile dysfunction etiologies (0.8 versus 4.2%, p < 0.001) but the percentage of patients with urethral pain/burning was higher (18.3 versus 10.4%, p = 0.027). No urinary tract infection, fibrosis or priapism occurred in the post-radical prostatectomy patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral alprostadil is a well tolerated and efficacious method of treating erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy, although psychological changes associated with cancer and surgery may limit home response. The severe neurovascular deficit associated with prostatectomy neither limits the efficacy of transurethral alprostadil nor increases the risks.

Efficacy and safety of transurethral alprostadil therapy in men with erectile dysfunction. MUSE Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety and efficacy of transurethral pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction, involving the use of a novel therapeutic system to administer alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) to the urethral mucosa in a double-blind, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled study conducted in five countries in Europe. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an outpatient setting, patients with primarily organic erectile dysfunction of at least 3 months' duration were treated with transurethral alprostadil, in an open-label, dose-escalating study. Testing stopped when the dose provided an erection sufficient for intercourse, as assessed by the patient and the investigator. Patients who achieved a sufficient response were then randomized to either active medication at the selected dose or to placebo for use at home for 3 months. After each home administration, patients recorded in diaries whether or not sexual intercourse occurred and any adverse reactions to the drug. RESULTS: A total of 249 patients were treated in an outpatient setting; of these patients, 159 (64%) achieved an erection sufficient for intercourse and were randomized (1:1) to either active medication or placebo for home treatment. Of the patients randomized to alprostadil for home treatment, 69% reported intercourse at least once, compared with 11% of patients randomized to placebo (P < 0.001). The most common adverse reaction, urethral pain/burning, was reported by 7% of patients in the clinic. Most patients (83%) graded transurethral alprostadil as causing minimal or no discomfort in the clinic. No patient reported priapism or developed penile fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Alprostadil delivered transurethrally by this system was well tolerated and effective in treating erectile dysfunction.

Pilot study of the immunologic effects of recombinant human growth hormone and recombinant insulin-like growth factor in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the immunologic effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), recombinant human insulin-like growth factor type 1 (rhIGF-1), or the combination, in patients with moderately advanced HIV infection. DESIGN: Randomized but not blinded trial. SETTING: Government medical research center. PATIENTS: Twenty-four HIV-infected patients with CD4 cell counts of 100-400 x 10(6)/l who were receiving nucleoside antiretroviral therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Either rhGH, rhIGF-1, or the combination was administered subcutaneously for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Immunologic parameters, including T-cell subsets and assays of in vitro interleukin (IL)-2 production in response to antigens and mitogens, and safety profile. RESULTS: Plasma IGF-1 levels were low or low-normal prior to treatment and increased with all three therapies. There were no significant changes in CD4 cell counts, RA/RO CD4 cell subsets, natural killer cell function, immunoglobulin levels, or in vitro IL-2 production in response to mitogen or alloantigens. However, there was an upward trend (and for p18IIIB a statistically significant increase) in the in vitro IL-2 production in response to each of five HIV envelope peptides. Potential toxic effects included fatigue, arthralgia, edema, myalgia, and headache. Patients also were noted to have weight gain averaging 4 kg early in the course of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that treatment with rhGH/rhIGF-1 was reasonably well tolerated and that modest improvement in HIV-specific immune function was attained. Further studies will help clarify the therapeutic potential of rhGH/rhIGF-1 as an immunostimulator in the setting of HIV infection.

Erectile response to transurethral alprostadil, prazosin and alprostadil-prazosin combinations.

PURPOSE: Transurethral alprostadil has been shown to be efficacious in many men with erectile dysfunction. We compared transurethral alprostadil and prazosin alone, and in combination to treat this disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo controlled study the erectile responses to transurethral alprostadil, prazosin and alprostadil-prazosin combinations were assessed in 234 men 26.8 to 81.5 years old with complete organic erectile dysfunction. Patients self-administered a random sequence of 7 doses in the clinic in 4 weeks. The erectile response was assessed using categorical and visual analog scales. RESULTS: Full penile enlargement or rigidity was achieved by 165 of the 234 men (70.5%) after at least 1 active dose of medication. The most effective alprostadil dose (500 microg.) resulted in full penile enlargement or rigidity in 51.8% of administrations, whereas the most effective prazosin dose (2,000 microg.) and placebo resulted in a similar response in 12.7 and 2.7%, respectively (p <0.001). The 500/2,000 microg. alprostadil/prazosin combination, which resulted in full enlargement or rigidity in 58.9% of doses, was only slightly better than the most effective dose of alprostadil alone (500 microg.). However, combinations of 125/500 and 250/500 microg. alprostadil/prazosin were more effective (p <0.01) than 125 and 250 microg. alprostadil given alone, respectively. The most common side effect of therapy was penile pain, which rarely led to study discontinuation. Hypotension most commonly developed at the higher alprostadil-prazosin combination. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral alprostadil and alprostadil-prazosin combinations produced erections in men with complete organic erectile dysfunction. This combination therapy may be an option in patients who do not respond to transurethral alprostadil alone.

Effects of alprostadil and prazosin on motility, viability and membrane integrity of human sperm.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of alprostadil, prazosin hydrochloride, and alprostadil/prazosin hydrochloride, agents used in the clinical treatment of male erectile dysfunction, on the motility, viability and membrane integrity of human sperm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers provided semen samples that were incubated with 0.4 mg./ml. alprostadil, 0.1 and 0.2 mg./ml. prazosin hydrochloride and 0.4 mg./ml. alprostadil plus 0.1 mg./ml. prazosin hydrochloride for 2 hours. Control incubations included polyethylene glycol 1450, the formulation vehicle for the clinical use of alprostadil and prazosin, and Ham's F-10 buffer. Serial evaluations of percent sperm motility, percent viability, membrane function (by hypo-osmotic swelling test) and several computer generated measurements of sperm motion, including straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity, linearity and amplitude of lateral head displacement, were made. RESULTS: None of the agents had a significant impact on the percentage of motile or viable sperm or on sperm membrane function. Incubation with 0.2 mg./ml. prazosin reduced straight line velocity and curvilinear velocity significantly compared with the other agents. These changes were most likely a direct result of the viscosity of the 0.2 mg./ml. prazosin solution and not a cellular or metabolic effect on the sperm. CONCLUSIONS: Alprostadil and prazosin hydrochloride at doses used in transurethral therapy for erectile dysfunction have no effect on the motility, viability and membrane integrity of human sperm.

The effect of transurethral alprostadil on the quality of life of men with erectile dysfunction, and their partners. MUSE Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of treatment for erectile dysfunction on the quality of life of men and their partners. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 249 men with organic erectile dysfunction of more than 3 months' duration who self-administered transurethral alprostadil in an open-label, dose-escalating manner in an outpatient medical setting. Patients with a sufficient response (159) were randomly assigned in a double-blind protocol to either active medication or placebo for 3 months at home. Patients and partners each completed quality-of-life questionnaires before and after treatment. RESULTS: In the clinic 159 of the 249 men (64%) had an erection sufficient for intercourse when using transurethral alprostadil. At home, 46 of 67 men (69%) reported intercourse at least once on transurethral alprostadil, compared with eight of 73 (11%) on placebo (P < 0.001). Patients on alprostadil showed a 34% improvement in their 'relationship with partner', a 5% improvement in 'personal wellness', and a 71% improvement in 'quality of erection' domains, compared with a decline of 11%, 8% and 1%, respectively, in patients on placebo (P < 0.005 for each comparison). Partners of patients on alprostadil showed a 35% improvement in the 'relationship with partner' domain, compared with a 12% improvement in the placebo group (P = 0.028). There was a trend toward improvement in other partner domains. Urogenital pain was reported by 14% of patients during home treatment. CONCLUSION: The resumption of sexual intercourse with the use of transurethral alprostadil was accompanied by an improvement in several important quality-of-life domains in patients and their partners.

Intravenous insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in moderate-to-severe head injury: a phase II safety and efficacy trial.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on the catabolic state and clinical outcome of head-injured patients. Thirty-three patients between the ages of 18 and 59 years with isolated traumatic head injury and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 4 to 10 were randomized to one of two groups. All patients received standard neurosurgical intensive care plus aggressive nutritional support; the patients in the treatment group also received intravenous therapy with continuous IGF-I (0.01 mg/kg/hour). During the 14-day dosing period, the control patients lost weight, whereas treated patients gained weight despite a significantly higher measured energy expenditure and lower caloric intake (p = 0.02). Daily glucose concentrations and nitrogen outputs were greater in control patients (p = 0.03) throughout the study period. During Week 1, only treated patients achieved positive nitrogen balance. Fifteen of 17 treated and 13 of 16 control patients survived the 1st week. No deaths occurred in patients whose serum IGF-I concentrations were higher than 350 ng/ml. Dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale scores for patients with baseline GCS scores of 5 to 7 improved from poor to good for eight of 12 treated patients but for only three of 11 control patients (p = 0.06). Eight of 11 treated patients with serum IGF-I concentrations that were at least 350 ng/ml achieved moderate-to-good outcome scores at 6 months, compared to only one of five patients with lower concentrations (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that pharmacological concentrations of IGF-I may improve clinical outcome and nitrogen utilization in patients with moderate-to-severe head injury.

Intravenous insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in moderate-to-severe head injury: a Phase II safety and efficacy trial.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on the catabolic state and clinical outcome of head-injured patients. Thirty-three patients between the ages of 18 and 59 years with isolated traumatic head injury and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 4 to 10 were randomized to one of two groups. All patients received standard neurosurgical intensive care plus aggressive nutritional support; the patients in the treatment group also received intravenous therapy with continuous IGF-I (0.01 mg/kg/hour). During the 14-day dosing period, the control patients lost weight, whereas treated patients gained weight despite a significantly higher measured energy expenditure and lower caloric intake (p = 0.02). Daily glucose concentrations and nitrogen outputs were greater in control patients (p = 0.03) throughout the study period. During Week 1, only treated patients achieved positive nitrogen balance. Fifteen of 17 treated and 13 of 16 control patients survived the 1st week. No deaths occurred in patients whose serum IGF-I concentrations were higher than 350 ng/ml. Dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale scores for patients with baseline GCS scores of 5 to 7 improved from poor to good for eight of 12 treated patients but for only three of 11 control patients (p = 0.06). Eight of 11 treated patients with serum IGF-I concentrations that were at least 350 ng/ml achieved moderate-to-good outcome scores at 6 months, compared to only one of five patients with lower concentrations (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that pharmacological concentrations of IGF-I may improve clinical outcome and nitrogen utilization in patients with moderate-to-severe head injury.

Adjunctive growth hormone during ovarian hyperstimulation increases levels of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in follicular fluid: a randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.

GH increases circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which can promote the growth and differentiated function of ovarian granulosa and theca cells. Reported studies of GH as an adjunct to menotropin stimulation in women, largely those with ovarian dysfunction, have not consistently shown a benefit of GH, despite increases in serum and follicular fluid IGF-I. We hypothesized that changes in intrafollicular IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which can antagonize IGF actions on granulosa cells, may underlie the inconsistent effects of GH. In the present study of GH, administered in double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over fashion to regularly cycling women undergoing in vitro fertilization, we found that follicular fluid levels of IGFBP-1, -3, and -4 and serum levels of IGFBP-3, as well as follicular fluid and serum IGF-I, were significantly increased in the GH-treated cycles, when compared with the placebo cycle of the same patient. We suggest that the net increase in intrafollicular IGFBPs in GH cycles may mitigate the potential beneficial effect of increased IGF-I.

Dual hormonal replacement therapy with insulin and recombinant human insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects on the growth hormone/IGF/IGF-binding protein system.

Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) exhibit abnormalities in the GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, including GH hypersecretion, low serum IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels, and elevated IGFBP-1 levels. We recently demonstrated that in IDDM, dual hormonal replacement therapy with insulin plus recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I) improves glycemic control better than insulin alone. To determine whether the addition of rhIGF-I therapy to insulin therapy also corrects GH/IGF/ IGFBP abnormalities, we examined the effects of chronic combined rhIGF-I/insulin therapy on key components of the somatotropin axis. Forty-three pediatric IDDM patients were randomly assigned to groups receiving daily, fasting subcutaneous injections of placebo or rhIGF-I (80 micrograms.kg.day) for 28 days, while continuing to receive splitmix insulin therapy and intensive outpatient management. rhIGF-I therapy corrected IGF-I deficiency, suppressed IGFBP-1 levels (P < 0.01), and induced a trend toward lower circulating GH levels throughout the study. rhIGF-I therapy also induced an approximate 50% decrease in IGF-II levels (P < 0.001) and an approximate 70% increase in IGFBP-2 levels (P < 0.05). Serum IGFBP-3 levels, normal before treatment, remained normal during rhIGF-I administration. All effects were apparent during the first week of rhIGF-I therapy and persisted throughout treatment. Because improvements in the GH/ IGF axis abnormalities and in glycemic control were greater in subjects receiving combined rhIGF-I and insulin, these data strongly support the concept that dual hormonal replacement in IDDM may offer distinct therapeutic advantages over insulin monotherapy.

Dual hormonal replacement with insulin and recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I in IDDM. Effects on glycemic control, IGF-I levels, and safety profile.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if dual replacement with insulin and rhIGF-I, recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I) may be safe and result in improved metabolic control and reduced insulin usage. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with IDDM were randomized to receive a daily injection of rhIGF-I (80 mcg/kg s.c.) or placebo while on conventional insulin therapy for 4 weeks. Insulin was adjusted in the attempt to achieve predetermined goal glycemic values. Free and total IGF-I, four daily blood glucoses, and HbA1c were measured. RESULTS: Before randomization, placebo and rhIGF-I groups exhibited low plasma levels of free and total IGF-I, which increased toward normal levels during the treatment period only in the rhIGF group. The regression curve obtained from the average of daily blood glucose measurements indicated that the glycemic profile, overlapping in the lead-in period, exhibited a downward trend in the rhIGF-I group during the treatment period. Mean blood glucose level during the last 10 days of treatment was lower in the rhIGF-I groups (174 +/- 37 vs. 194 +/- 32 mg/dl). HbA1c level was reduced by more than one-half percent more in the rhIGF-I group (-1.85%) than in the control group (-1.3%). The dose of regular insulin was significantly lower in the rhIGF-I group (0.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.1 U. kg-1. 10 days-1 in the placebo group; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: rhIGF-I in combination with conventional insulin treatment ameliorated the low plasma total and free IGF-I levels and was well tolerated in IDDM. There was a trend toward improved glycemic control, while the regular insulin dose was significantly decreased.

Treatment of men with erectile dysfunction with transurethral alprostadil. Medicated Urethral System for Erection (MUSE) Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction in men is common. We evaluated a system by which alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) is delivered transurethrally to treat this disorder. METHODS: Alprostadil was delivered transurethrally in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 1511 men, 27 to 88 years of age, who had chronic erectile dysfunction from various organic causes. The men were first tested in the clinic with up to four doses of the drug (125, 250, 500, and 1000 microg); those who had sufficient responses were randomly assigned to treatment with either the effective dose of alprostadil or placebo for three months at home. RESULTS: During in-clinic testing, 996 men (65.9 percent) had erections sufficient for intercourse. Of these men, 961 reported the results of at least one home treatment; 299 of the 461 treated with alprostadil (64.9 percent) had intercourse successfully at least once, as compared with 93 of the 500 who received placebo (18.6 percent, P<0.001). On average, 7 of 10 alprostadil administrations were followed by intercourse in men responsive to treatment. The efficacy of alprostadil was similar regardless of age or the cause of erectile dysfunction, including vascular disease, diabetes, surgery, and trauma (P<0.001 for all comparisons with placebo). The most common side effect was mild penile pain, which occurred after 10.8 percent of alprostadil treatments, but the pain rarely resulted in refusal to continue in the study. Hypotension occurred in the clinic in 3.3 percent of men receiving alprostadil. Hypotension-related symptoms were uncommon at home. No men had priapism or penile fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: In men with erectile dysfunction, transurethral alprostadil therapy resulted in erections in the clinic and in intercourse at home.

Recombinant human growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1, and combination therapy in AIDS-associated wasting. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To increase lean body mass and improve health status in patients with wasting associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 (rhIGF-1), or both. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: University of New Mexico Clinical Research Center and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. PATIENTS: 60 patients with AIDS and wasting as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Patients were divided into four groups of 15 patients each. INTERVENTION: Group 1 received 1.4 mg of rhGH once daily plus placebo twice daily; group 2 received 5 mg of rhIGF-1 twice daily plus placebo once daily; group 3 received 5 mg of rhIGF-1 twice daily plus 1.4 mg of rhGH once daily; and group 4 received placebo three times daily. MEASUREMENTS: Body weight, body composition, muscle strength, protein catabolism, quality of life, and immune status were assessed at baseline, and changes in these variables were measured at 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: At 6 weeks, lean body mass had increased and total fat mass had decreased in the groups receiving rhGH, rhIGF-1, or both. Group 3 had the greatest changes in lean body mass (mean +/- SE, 3.2 +/- 0.59 kg; P < 0.001); only in this group were changes in body mass maintained at 12 weeks. Only patients in group 1 had improvement in muscular strength of the knees and upper body (P = 0.04) and quality of life (P = 0.01). Immunologic function did not improve in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Growth factor therapy had significantly increased lean body mass and decreased fat mass by 6 weeks, but these improvements persisted for 12 weeks only in group 3. Growth factor therapy at the dosages used in this study is not recommended because the magnitude of weight gain was modest and improvements in quality-of-life measures varied.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the erectile response to transurethral alprostadil.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have indicated that the urethra may provide an effective route for administering vasoactive medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of alprostadil administered intraurethrally at home for the treatment of this disorder. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the erectile response to randomly assigned doses of transurethral alprostadil at home in 68 men with long-standing (mean 41 months) erectile dysfunction of primarily organic etiology. Patients completing the study each administered a random sequence of four different doses (125, 250, 500, and 1000 micrograms) and placebo over a 2 to 4-week period. Assessments included the couples' ability to have intercourse, patient ratings of erectile response by both categorical and visual analogue scales, penile volume measurements, and overall assessments of comfort and ease of administration. RESULTS: Overall, 75.4% (49 of 65) of study patients achieved full enlargement of the penis and 49.2% (32 of 65) achieved an erection judged by the patient to be sufficient for intercourse. In addition, 63.6% (42 of 66) of patients reported intercourse. Efficacy was similar across etiologies. The most common side effect was penile pain, which occurred in association with 9.1% to 18.3% of alprostadil administrations, depending on dose. Mean comfort ratings ranged from 79 to 87, depending on dose, where 0 = severe discomfort and 100 = comfortable; ease of administration scores were above 90 for each dose, where 0 = difficult and 100 = easy. There were no episodes of priapism in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term treatment with transurethral alprostadil produced erections resulting in sexual intercourse in most patients with chronic erectile dysfunction. This therapy may be a useful treatment option for patients with erectile dysfunction.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of combined insulin-like growth factor I and low dose growth hormone therapy for wasting associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Loss of body mass, or wasting, is a major cause of morbidity and a contributor to mortality in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Dietary supplements and appetite adjuvants have had limited effectiveness in treating this condition. GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) have been shown to be anabolic in many catabolic conditions, and limited data suggest similar efficacy in HIV wasting. In addition, it appears that GH and IGF-I may have complementary anabolic effects with opposing glucoregulatory effects. We report results from a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial of combination recombinant human GH (rhGH; Nutropin; 0.34 mg, sc, twice daily) and rhIGF-I (5.0 mg, sc, twice daily) in individuals with HIV wasting and without active opportunistic infection, cancer, or gastrointestinal disease. A total of 142 subjects (140 males and 2 females) were randomized using a 2:1, double blind treatment scheme and assigned to receive either active treatment or placebo injections. Eighty subjects completed the 12-week protocol. Nutritional intake and demographic and clinical characteristics did not differ between the groups at any study time point. At 3 weeks, the treatment group had a significantly larger weight increase (P = 0.0003), but this difference was not observed at any later time point. Similarly, fat-free mass, calculated from skinfold measurements, increased transiently in the treatment group at 6 weeks (P = 0.002). No significant differences in isokinetic muscle strength or endurance testing or in quality of life were observed between the groups. Resting heart rate was significantly higher in the treatment group at each time point post-baseline. GH and IGF-binding protein-3 levels did not change; however, IGF-I levels were higher in the treatment group at 6 and 12 weeks. There were no significant between-group differences in any of the measured biochemical or immunological parameters. rhGH plus rhIGF-I treatment was associated with an increased incidence of peripheral edema and other side-effects, possibly related to fluid retention. We conclude that the combination of rhIGF-I and low dose rhGH used in this study had no significant anabolic effect in HIV wasting.

Changes in body composition of human immunodeficiency virus-infected males receiving insulin-like growth factor I and growth hormone.

Weight loss is a common, persistent characteristic of long term human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection; its full etiology remains unknown. Because treatment with GH has induced nitrogen retention in various catabolic conditions, we designed this study to determine whether a moderate dose of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) combined with a low GH dose could impede the catabolic response seen in HIV-1 infection. A double blind, placebo-controlled study design was used. Subjects in the GH/IGF-I treatment group (n = 44) and control group (n = 22) continued to receive their routine stable antiretroviral therapy. No patient had a recent history of opportunistic infection, malignancy, or Kaposi's sarcoma and had dietary intakes of at least 25 Cal/kg weight.day at study entry. During the 12-week study period, dietary instruction was given, and subjects were encouraged to maintain an intake of 35 Cal/kg and 1 g protein/kg. All subjects had a body mass index of 19.8 kg/m2 or less at the time of study entry or a weight loss of 10% or more of their premorbid weight and a body mass index below 26.1 kg/m2. The treatment group received 0.34 mg (0.68 mg/day) GH, twice daily, and 5.0 mg (10 mg/day) IGF-I, twice daily. Changes in body composition of total body potassium (TBK), total body nitrogen (TBN), fat-free mass (FFM), and body fat (Fat) were examined at 6 and 12 weeks during the treatment period. TBK, TBN, FFM, and Fat for the treatment and placebo groups were, on the average, below normal at study entry. At 6 weeks, the GH/IGF-I group showed a significant increase in FFM (P < 0.0001), a minimal increase in TBK (P < 0.05), and a substantial decrease in Fat (P < 0.01) compared with baseline values. The loss of body fat continued to be significant (P < 0.01) in the GH/IGF-I group treatment at 12 weeks, whereas the increase in FFM was minimal (P < 0.05). No significant changes in the mean body composition occurred at 6 or 12 weeks in the placebo group. By 12 weeks, neither TBK (body cell mass) nor TBN (total protein mass) had significantly increased relative to the values at baseline, although the FFM remained elevated. Thus, the combined GH and IGF-I doses used in this study in adult males with HIV-associated weight loss were ineffective in producing a sustained anabolic response and, in fact, resulted primarily in a significant loss of body fat.