Abstract

Abstract Background Growth hormone (GH) deficiency, a common endocrine deficit in non-functioning pituitary tumors, causes visceral obesity and fatty liver and increases cardiovascular event risks. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been used as a useful marker to estimate cardiovascular event risks. Because GH supplementation therapy was reported to decrease serum hs-CRP levels in GH deficient patients, inflammatory processes might be activated in GH deficient state, however, the underlying mechanism has been still unknown. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed charts of 134 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma and Rathke's cysts who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests and investigated the association between serum hs-CRP levels and background characteristics. Patients who had a history of pituitary surgery, severe renal insufficiency or active inflammatory diseases or received GH supplementation therapy were excluded. GH secretion was determined by GHRP-2 tests. Results Among 134 patients (94 NFPA and 40 Rathke's cysts), 46 (34%) presented severe GH deficiency, as diagnosed using GHRP-2 tests. Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the patients with severe GH deficiency than in those without severe GH deficiency (723 [299-1285] vs 278 [124-561] ng/mL, P < 0. 001). Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in men (P = 0. 003) and in patients with diabetes mellitus (P = 0. 040) and were significantly correlated with age (r s = 0.19, P = 0. 039), body mass index (r s = 0.37, P < 0. 001), serum levels ofgamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(r s = 0.28, P = 0. 001), creatinine (r s = 0.30, P < 0. 001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r s = 0.21, P = 0. 013), triglyceride (r s = 0.38, P < 0. 001) and free thyroxine (r s = -0.30, P= 0. 001), blood hemoglobin A1c levels (r s = 0.20, P = 0. 018), peak GH response to GHRP-2 (r s = -0.47, P < 0. 001) and IGF-1 SD score (r s = -0.18, P = 0. 040). In the multiple regression analysis, peak GH response to GHRP-2 was a significant variable for determining serum hs-CRP levels (β = -0.340, P = 0. 003) after adjustment with age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum levels ofgamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, creatinine,triglyceride and free thyroxine and adrenal function. Conclusion We observed a significant association between GH deficiency and increased serum hs-CRP levels independent to BMI and liver dysfunction. GH deficient state might cause inflammation independent to development of visceral obesity and fatty liver. Presentation: No date and time listed

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