40 hGH RESPONSE TO GH-RH 1–44 IN OBESITY OF VARIOUS ETIOLOGIES

Abstract

Fourteen juveniles with obesity were tested with i.v. GH-RH 1-44 (1 mcg/kg). Seven had simple obesity and in the other 7 the obesity was associated with the following syndromes: Prader-Willi (n=4); Laurence Moon Biedle (n=1); hypothalamic syndrome (n=2). The overweight (Owt) SDS was calculated by substracting height SDS from weight SDS. The subjects were grouped according to the diagnosis and Owt SDS (Table). In simple obesity (Gr. 1+2) there was a good response of hGH to GH-RH (11.8±5.8 ng/m1) whereas in the syndromes (Gr. 3+4) there was a poor response (3.2±2.1 ng/ml p < 0.01). In groups 2 & 3 there was a similar Owt SDS, but different etiologies of the obesity with a significantly reduced hGH response in the syndromes (Gr. 3; p < 0.01). Though the blunted response of hGH to pharmacologic stimuli as well as to sleep and GH-RH in obesity is related to the degree of Owt, it is concluded that additional factors contribute to the pattern of hGH secretion and response in obesity.