Abnormal Body Composition Research Articles

Beginning to end: Cardiovascular implications of growth hormone (GH) deficiency and GH therapy

Both growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are involved in heart development and in maintenance of cardiac structure and performance. Cardiovascular disease has been reported to reduce life expectancy in both GH deficiency (GHD) and GH excess. Patients with GHD suffer from a cluster of abnormalities associated with increased cardiovascular risk, including abnormal body composition, unfavorable lipid profile, increased fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels, insulin resistance, early atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction, and impaired left ventricular (LV) performance (i.e., reduced diastolic filling and impaired response to peak exercise). Long-term GH replacement therapy reverses most of these abnormalities. More consistently, GH replacement reduces body fat and visceral adipose tissue, reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and improves endothelial function. GH replacement also reduces intima media thickness at major arteries and improves LV performance, but these results have been observed only in small series of patients treated on a short-term basis. This review discusses the roles of GHD and GH replacement therapy in the development of cardiovascular disease.

Early Changes in Bioelectrical Estimates of Body Composition in Chronic Kidney Disease

The aim of this study was to detect the potential occurrence of early abnormalities of body composition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at first referral to an outpatient nephrology clinic. Eighty-four patients with CKD (49 men and 35 women) were compared with 604 healthy control subjects (298 men and 306 women). Anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were performed in all participants, whereas renal function, laboratory tests for nutritional status, and nutrient intake were assessed in the CKD group only. Creatinine clearance was 27.8 +/- 13.8 and 27.4 +/- 13.0 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in male and female patients with CKD, respectively. No patient showed peripheral edema; frank malnutrition, defined by presence of serum albumin <3.5 g/dl plus body mass index <20 kg/m(2); or protein intake <0.6 g/kg per d. At the BIA, patients with CKD showed lower resistance (R) and abnormal mean impedance vectors for the bivariate normal distribution of R/height and reactance/height. Phase angle also was reduced (-22%), especially in patients with diabetes. When BIA-derived data were considered, total body water was slightly higher (+4.3% in men; +3.5% in women) and body cell mass was lower (-6.7% in men; -7.7% in women) in patients with CKD. No difference in either BIA parameters or nutritional indexes was observed among various CKD stages. Despite the absence of overt malnutrition, patients with CKD exhibit altered BIA variables from the early phases of renal disease. These alterations are related to the renal dysfunction, are more marked in the presence of diabetes, and mainly indicate the presence of overhydration in the absence of edema. Therefore, BIA represents an attractive clinical tool to detect impairment of body composition from the early stages of CKD.

Abnormal body composition, leptin &amp; ghrelin levels in children with mitochondrial trifunctional protein (TFP) deficiency

Abnormal body composition, leptin &amp; ghrelin levels in children with mitochondrial trifunctional protein (TFP) deficiency

Amenorrhea after weight recover in anorexia nervosa: Role of body composition and endocrine abnormalities

Hypothalamic amenorrhea in anorexia nervosa often precedes weight loss and may persist after re-feeding and restoration of a stable normal weight. To assess the rate of persistent amenorrhea in anorexia nervosa (AN) after re-feeding and the relations of this condition with body composition changes and other endocrine parameters. A cohort of 250 female outpatients was studied to assess persistent amenorrhea prevalence after stable weight recovery. Among these, we selected 20 AN female patients (age 16.5-35), 10 with amenorrhea (group 1) and 10 with normal menses (group 2). We collected data such as age, age at menarche, age at onset of AN, actual body mass index (BMI) and at onset of AN, duration of disease. Physical activity has been evaluated as minute per day. The following data were obtained: prolactin, growth hormone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, free urinary cortisol, serum calcium and phosphates, urinary calcium, phosphaturia and alkaline phosphatase. Body composition was assessed with a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Thirty-five patients (14%) over a cohort of 250 where still amenorrhoic after stable weight recovery. No significance was found in the evaluation of blood biochemical tests of the 2 groups. Free urinary cortisol was significantly higher in amenorrhoic patients (58.14+/-0.4 vs 15.91+/-9.5), p=0.02. The analysis of body composition has shown a percentage of fat of 22.23+/-5.32% in group 1 and of 26.03%+/-9.1% in group 2, respectively, showing no significant differences. Amenorrhoic patients carried on doing a significantly heavier physical activity than eumenorrhoic patients. An adequate body composition and a well represented fat mass are certainly a necessary but not sufficient condition for the return of the menstrual cycle. Such menstrual cycle recovery would probably need other conditions at present being studied and evaluated to occur, such as secretory patterns of leptin and its correlations with adrenal function.

Is Chromium an Important Element in HIV-Positive Patients with Metabolic Abnormalities? An Hypothesis Generating Pilot Study

Background: Chromium plays a role in insulin sensitivity.Objectives: To compare chromium measurements in HIV-positive patients with or without (N) antiretroviral therapy (ART) to that of healthy controls (HC) and, to determine if there is any association between chromium levels and abnormalities in body composition, glucose and lipid metabolism.Design: A cross-sectional study in 91 HIV patients (75 HIV-ART, 16 HIV-N) and 13 HC. Chromium was assessed in the diet, plasma, toenails, and urine. Fasting blood glycemia and lipids, lipodystrophy score and body fat were also determined.Results: Dietary intake of chromium was similar in the 3 groups. Plasma and toenail Cr were lower in HIV compared to HC, but urinary chromium was similar. However, when the HIV-positive patients on ART were compared to those who were naïve to therapies, urinary excretion of chromium was higher in HIV-ART. In addition, urinary excretion of chromium significantly and positively correlated with lipodystrophy score and negatively with various parameters of metabolic syndrome.Conclusion: Despite a similar dietary intake, chromium levels were lower in HIV-positive patients and urinary chromium excretion correlated with some metabolic parameters. Low chromium levels may be due to increased chromium losses. These results support further studies on chromium in HIV patients.

Somatropin Therapy for Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome is a neurogenetic disorder that occurs due to the lack of a paternally expressed gene or genes on chromosome 15q11-q13. Many of the symptoms present in Prader-Willi syndrome are due to a hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. The main characteristics are muscular hypotonia, delayed psychomotor development, insatiable appetite resulting in overweight if a diet is not maintained, compromised growth and puberty resulting in a short final height and incomplete sexual development, respiratory disturbances, and dysmorphic features. Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome have compromised growth and abnormal body composition with increased fat mass, decreased lean body mass, and low bone density, resembling a growth hormone-deficient status. Somatropin treatment has a beneficial effect on growth with increased final height and an improvement in and maintenance of body composition, as well as a beneficial effect on respiratory functions. Before initiating somatropin therapy, weight should be kept at an appropriate level, and polysomnography, as well as an otorhinolaryngologic examination should be performed. During somatropin therapy, carbohydrate metabolism and the development of scoliosis should be monitored, as well as bodyweight.A comprehensive team to manage the various components of medical, psychologic, and sociologic care is required for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Body composition in children with galactosaemia

Body composition in classical galactosaemia has not been studied. Patients with classical galactosaemia, an inherited disorder of galactose metabolism caused by deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT, EC 2.7.7.10), might be at risk for an abnormal body composition because of intrinsic factors related to galactosaemia and/or diet-related factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the body composition of children with classical galactosaemia. The studied population was a previously reported group of classical galactosaemia patients (13 male and 27 female, ages 3-17 years) with decreased height, weight, weight-for-height and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) Z-scores. Body composition data were obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In order to correct for height, fat mass (FM) and lean tissue mass (LTM) were divided by squared height. Mid-parental target height Z-scores were assessed and compared to actual height Z-scores. Linear and multiple regression analysis were done to investigate the relationship between body composition and IGF-I, dietary intake and growth data. We found decreased height Z-scores when compared to mid-parental target height Z-scores. Mean scores for FM and LTM (both adjusted for height) were decreased. LTM (adjusted for height) and height Z-score were correlated with IGF-I Z-score. FM (adjusted for height) was correlated with soy intake. No correlation was found between soy intake and IGF-I Z-score. In this limited group of patients, height is decreased and body composition is abnormal. The decreased levels of IGF-I and/or soy nutrition might play a role in these findings.

The Phenotype of Adults with Partial Growth Hormone Deficiency

The concept of partial growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) is well established within the paediatric setting having been validated against height velocity. In hypopituitary adults, GHD is defined by a peak GH response <3 µg/l to stimulation. This cut-off is arbitrary due to the lack of a biological marker equivalent of height velocity. The majority of normal adults achieve peak GH levels several fold higher than this cut off during stimulation. It can be argued, therefore, that there is a cohort of hypopituitary adults with intermediate peak GH values (3–7 µg/l), who have relatively impaired GH secretion, and for whom the impact of this partial GHD (GH insufficiency, GHI) on biological endpoints is not known. Studies of GHI adults have demonstrated an abnormal body composition, adverse lipid profile, impaired cardiac performance, reduced exercise tolerance and insulin resistance. The severity of these abnormalities lies between GHD adults and normal subjects. Whether these anomalies translate into increased mortality, as observed in GHD hypopituitary adults, is not yet known. Given the presence of similar sequelae in GHI and GHD adults, and the improvements during GH replacement in GHD adults, a randomized placebo-controlled study of GH replacement in GHI patients is warranted.

Growth hormone induced lipolysis during short- and long-term administration in adult Prader–Willi patients

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disease, clinically characterised by short stature, abnormal body composition, with more body fat than lean body mass, hyperphagia and obesity. Partial growth hormone (GH) deficiency is common, and GH treatment to PWS children and adults has shown beneficial effects on body composition. In this study, we have evaluated indices of GH’s lipolytic effect in 6 PWS adults analysing glycerol, lactate and glucose in dialysate from microdialysis in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue. The patients were four men and two women, 19–37 years old; all hypogonadal. BMI was 24.2–49.1, mean 35.9 kg/m 2. All had normal serum insulin levels. They received GH therapy (Genotropin ® Pfizer) during 12 months and doses were individually titrated to normal serum IGF-I for age. Immediately before treatment start and at 12 months, 30–36 h after the last GH injection, sampling of dialysate was carried out at night (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.), as well as after intravenously injection of a standardised GH dose (0.8 mg). At baseline individual mean night time glycerol and lactate were similar to levels in adults without PWS (160.7–278.1 μmol/L and 0.80–3.99 mmol/L, respectively), and did not change with 12 months GH treatment. Glucose levels were normal, except in a patient with diabetes, and did not change during the study. Compared to baseline the immediate effect of GH injection resulted in a significant increase in glycerol levels after 12 months. In conclusion, night time lipolytic response in this small group of PWS adults seemed normal and did not change after 12 months GH treatment. On the other hand short-term GH induced lipolysis increased, indicating normal lipolytic response in PWS.

Perfil lipídico e composição corporal na deficiência do hormônio de crescimento em adultos

The growth hormone deficiency (GHD) syndrome in adults and the increased associated cardiovascular risk have been extensively studied in recent years. Abnormal body composition with excess of visceral adiposity and adverse lipid profile are important features of this syndrome. Abnormal lipid profile has been described with increased levels of total cholesterol (C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, decreased levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoproteins abnormalities. Lipid profile and the amount of visceral adipose tissue were studied in 31 GHD adults compared with a control group of healthy subjects matched for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). Visceral adipose tissue was evaluated by abdominal computed tomography and anthropometric measurements--BMI (kg/m2) and waist circumference (cm). The lipid profile was studied by measurement of C, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A and B, and Lipoprotein (a). The GHD adults showed increased visceral adipose tissue (156.66 +/- 72.72 vs. 113.51 +/- 32.97 cm2, p = 0.049), higher levels of triglycerides (158.58 +/- 80.29 vs. 97.17 +/- 12.37 mg/dl; p = 0.007) and lower HDL- cholesterol (45.41 +/- 13.30 vs. 55.34 +/- 14.31 mg/dl; p = 0.002). There were no differences in others aspects of lipid profile and anthropometric measurements. Growth Hormone Deficient adults showed increased visceral adipose tissue, higher levels of triglycerides and lower HDL- cholesterol levels.

Recombinant human growth hormone therapy in HIV-associated wasting and visceral adiposity

This article reviews the clinical data on recombinant human growth hormone therapy of body composition abnormalities in HIV-infected patients. Short-term recombinant human growth hormone therapy at pharmacologic doses modestly increases total body weight and lean body mass in patients with HIV wasting, resulting in improvements in physical capacity and quality of life. Short-term recombinant human growth hormone therapy has a clear dose-dependent impact on trunk and visceral fat in HIV-infected patients with central fat accumulation, resulting in improvements in perception of body image and a beneficial effect on lipid parameters. Recombinant human growth hormone therapy is also accompanied by dose-dependent side effects related to fluid retention and increased insulin resistance. The optimal treatment strategy, maintenance dose and duration of treatment have not been identified.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) measurements in growth hormone (GH) therapy of idiopathic short stature (ISS)

Growth hormone (GH) therapy has evolved rapidly over the past decade. Ongoing research has demonstrated a clear role for therapeutic GH in a wide spectrum of pediatric disorders involving both poor growth and abnormal body composition. Although guidelines for GH dosing are not fully established, a series of key studies has delineated the range of dosages that are useful in the treatment of children with growth disorders. The recent approval of idiopathic short stature (ISS) as an indication for GH therapy presents further challenges in optimizing the care of GH-treated patients. ISS is now recognized as a diverse collection of environmental and molecular abnormalities, some of which involve the GH–IGF axis. Emerging data indicate that serum IGF-I measurements are not only useful in the diagnosis of growth abnormalities but, in conjunction with auxological measurements, are also a powerful tool for assessing GH efficacy. While it is clear that many ISS patients respond to GH, some individuals will not show a satisfactory response. Monitoring IGF-I levels and change in height SDS during treatment can assist the physician in distinguishing those patients in whom GH successfully and safely induces statural growth from those with partial or complete GH insensitivity who might benefit from modified GH treatment protocols or alternate therapies. In addition, serum IGF-I measurements are increasingly used as part of a rational monitoring strategy to ensure safety of GH dosing in light of cumulative data associating high IGF-I levels with potential malignancy risk, and low IGF-I levels with cardiovascular disease risk.

Improvement in Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition in Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A 1-Year Prospective Study

Abnormalities in bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and bone metabolism have been reported in children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during and after completion of therapy. However, these studies are cross-sectional, and no longitudinal data are available in a large group of patients after completion of therapy. In the present study, 1-year longitudinal changes in BMD, body composition, and bone metabolism were evaluated in children with ALL during the first 3 years after completion of therapy without cranial irradiation. BMD of total body (TB; g/cm(2)), areal and apparent volumetric lumbar spine (L2-L4), lean body mass, and percentage of body fat were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 37 children (median age: 7.9 years; range: 4.7-20.6 years) who were treated for ALL at a median age of 3.3 years (range: 1.1-16.6 years), after a median time of 2.2 years after the completion of treatment, and after a 1-year follow-up period. Two control subjects (n = 74) who were matched for gender, age, and pubertal stage were also longitudinally investigated for body composition for 1 year. Usual serum biochemical markers of calcium metabolism and bone turnover were measured in patients during the study period. A slight decrease in TB BMD was found after a median time of 2.2 years after the completion of therapy for ALL in childhood. Patients showed a significantly lower median TB BMD when evaluated <1.5 years as compared with those at >or=1.5 years since completion of therapy. At the time of first evaluation, the percentage of body fat mass was significantly higher and patients were physically less active than their matched control subjects. Although, as expected, during the 1 year of follow-up both groups showed an annual increment in their BMD measurements, a significantly higher increase in TB BMD was observed in patients in comparison with control subjects. During this same period, the increase in the percentage of body fat mass was slightly lower in ALL patients as compared with control subjects. At the end of the follow-up year, BMD, body-composition parameters, and physical activity of ALL patients were similar to those observed in matched control subjects. Serum biochemical markers of bone turnover were normal at both evaluations. A significant increase in TB BMD and a tendency to a lesser increase in percentage of body fat mass were observed during the study period in ALL patients as compared with chronological age-, gender-, and pubertal stage-matched control subjects. These findings suggest a positive effect of long-term completion therapy and increase in physical activity on BMD, body composition, and bone metabolism in patients who have been treated for ALL.

Effects of recombinant mouse growth hormone treatment on growth and body composition in GHRH knock out mice

Objective GH deficiency (GHD) causes growth failure and alterations in body composition both in humans and mice. Mouse models of GHD are used to study the effect of GH replacement therapy on these parameters. As the administration of human GH to mice causes development of antibodies and progressive reduction of its effectiveness, the use of species-specific GH is recommended. To determine the optimal GH replacement schedule in GHD mice, and to study its effect on body composition, we treated mice with targeted ablation of the GHRH gene (GHRH knock out-GHRHKO) with recombinant mouse GH (rmGH). Design One week-old GHRHKO male animals received either placebo or one of two different regimens of escalating doses of rmGH: R1: 30 μg/daily (1st week), 50 μg/daily (2nd week), 70 μg/daily (3rd–4th week); R2: 15 μg/twice a day (1st week), 25 μg/twice a day (2nd week), 35 μg/twice a day (3rd–4th week). Sex- and age-matched wild-type (WT) animals served as controls. At the end of the study we measured body length and weight, tibia and femur length, and body composition. Results While R1 normalized all growth parameters (TBW, N–A, femur, tibia length), R2 mice achieved significantly higher TBW, N–A and femur length when compared to WT. Body composition abnormalities (increased subcutaneous fat and reduced lean mass) were completely reverted by both treatment schedules. None of the GH-induced parameter modification described above was reflected in parallel changes in circulating serum IGF-1 and liver IGF-1 mRNA. Conclusions Our findings indicate that in GHD mice body composition changes are reverted by rmGH and that twice/daily is more effective than daily administration.

Effects of 18-month of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in patients with Sheehan’s syndrome

Objective Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults is associated with abnormal body composition, altered lipid profile, reduced quality of life and osteoporosis. Replacement with recombinant GH results in significant improvements in most of these altered parameters. The most common cause of adult GHD in previous studies was due to pituitary tumors or their treatment. Sheehan’s syndrome classically refers to postpartum hypopituitarism due to pituitary necrosis occurring secondary to massive bleeding at or just after delivery. While severe GHD is a well-established feature of Sheehan’s syndrome, the effects of Growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) in these patients has not been extensively investigated. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of GHD and GHRT in patients with Sheehan’s syndrome. Design The study comprised 14 severely GH-deficient patients with Sheehan’s syndrome with a mean age of 49.4 ± 7.9 yr. Treatment with GH was started at a dose of 0.15 mg per day in month 1, was increased to 0.30 mg per day in month 2, and was maintained at 0.66 mg per day until the end of month 18. With the similar maintenance dose adequate age adjusted IGF-I levels for each patient has been achieved. Blood pressure, lipid profile, biochemical parameters, anthropometric measurements including body mass index (BMI), waist and waist to hip ratio (W/H), and bone mineral density (BMD) were investigated before and at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months of the GHRT. Results The duration of GHD from the onset of the disease was 19.4 ± 1.6 yr. The majority of the patients (78%) had panhypopituitarism. At baseline mean total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher than the normal reference ranges but HDL-cholesterol levels were within the lower normal range. During the treatment period total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels decreased and HDL-cholesterol levels increased significantly ( P < 0.05). Waist circumference and waist to hip ratio were decreased significantly during the GHRT when compared to basal measurements ( P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the basal waist circumference and the duration of GHD ( P < 0.05). Conclusions This study clearly demonstrates that Sheehan’s syndrome is characterized by severe and long-standing GHD. GHRT have beneficial effects in several parameters including lipid profile and waist circumference. But we could not observe any improvement in BMD after 18 months of GHRT. However interpretations of the present results need to be made with caution because of the uncontrolled design. Further placebo controlled studies with high number of patients with Sheehan’s syndrome are warranted.

Body Mass Index and Agreement Between Bioimpedance and Anthropometry Estimates of Body Compartments in Anorexia Nervosa

In 74 women with anorexia nervosa (body mass index [BMI] 10-17.5 kg/m(2)), a progressive disagreement between anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) estimates of fat (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) was documented with a BMI <15 kg/m(2). Below this threshold, an abnormal body composition was detected with vector BIA independent on body weight (useful tool at the bedside). Both anthropometry and BIA are used for body composition assessment. We evaluated the agreement between their estimates of FFM and FM in extremely lean subjects with anorexia nervosa. Observational study in 74 women (age 15-45 years; BMI 10.0-17.5 kg/m(2)) with anorexia nervosa. Anthropometry FM and FFM were estimated by skinfold thicknesses. Whole-body impedance vector components, resistance (R) and reactance (X(c)), were measured at the same time (BIA-101 analyzer, 50-kHz frequency; Akern/RJL Systems, Clinton Twp., MI). BIA estimates of FFM and FM were obtained with Sun's equations (BMI 14-39 kg/m(2)). Vector BIA was performed with the RXc graph method. The frequency of disagreement between anthropometry and BIA was evaluated as a function of increasing BMI (receiver operating characteristic curve). The correlation coefficient between methods was 0.80-0.90. The BMI cutoff value of 15 kg/m(2) predicted disagreement of FM and FFM in patients with a BMI <15 kg/m(2). In the RXc graph, the distribution of vectors from patients with disagreement was significantly shifted out of the right border of the reference tolerance ellipses. Anthropometry and BIA equations should not be used in anorexic patients with a BMI <15 kg/m(2). The distribution of vectors from patients with disagreement of methods was shifted out of the right border of the reference tolerance ellipses and was superposed to vectors from patients with a BMI <15 kg/m(2). The identified impedance pattern for anorexia could be useful for feedback in individual patient refeeding (vector back into the 75% reference ellipse).

Body composition and fat distribution influence systemic hemodynamics in the absence of obesity: the HyperGEN Study

We have shown that increased cardiac output is related to both fat-free mass and fat mass in obesity. We studied the association of body fat distribution and body composition with flow-resistance relations in overweight. We studied 521 overweight, nonobese participants in the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network (HyperGEN) Study-a component of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Blood Pressure Program, designed to assess the genetic basis of hypertension. Participants had normal ventricular function and no cardiovascular disease: 261 with central fat distribution (CFD) (waist girth >88 cm in women and >102 cm in men) and 260 with peripheral fat distribution (PFD). Fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were measured by bioelectric impedance. Body composition was estimated as FM/FFM. Echocardiographic stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were measured. Hypertension was present in 73% of the subjects with PFD and in 78% with CFD. Overweight with CFD was associated with greater FM/FFM in both normotensive and hypertensive participants. After FFM, age, sex, and race were controlled for, SV and CO were higher in subjects overweight with CFD than in those with PFD, whereas peripheral resistance was not significantly different. Differences in CO between CFD and PFD were reduced after further adjustment for FM. After the covariates were controlled for, hypertensive subjects had higher peripheral resistance and lower arterial compliance than did normotensive participants, but cardiac output was not significantly different. CFD is associated with more severe abnormalities in body composition and with higher CO independently of FFM in overweight, nonobese subjects.

The effect of growth hormone replacement in adult growth hormone deficiency on the diurnal and ultradian dynamics of ghrelin, leptin, soluble leptin receptor and adiponectin

Timed secretion of ghrelin, leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) and adiponectin is integral to the temporal interplay of signals that maintains energy balance, feeding and body weight. Adult growth hormone deficient (AGHD) patients known to have abnormalities of body composition, energy balance and insulin sensitivity demonstrate an abnormal leptin secretory pattern which is altered by growth hormone replacement (GHR). We studied the secretory patterns of sOB-R, adiponectin and ghrelin in AGHD, prior to and following GHR.

Home-Based Resistance Training Is Not Sufficient to Maintain Improved Glycemic Control Following Supervised Training in Older Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes

To examine whether improvements in glycemic control and body composition resulting from 6 months of supervised high-intensity progressive resistance training could be maintained after an additional 6 months of home-based resistance training. We performed a 12-month randomized controlled trial in 36 sedentary, overweight men and women with type 2 diabetes (aged 60-80 years) who were randomly assigned to moderate weight loss plus high-intensity progressive resistance training (RT&WL group) or moderate weight loss plus a control program (WL group). Supervised gymnasium-based training for 6 months was followed by an additional 6 months of home-based training. Glycemic control (HbA1c), body composition, muscle strength, and metabolic syndrome abnormalities were assessed at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Compared with the WL group, HbA1c decreased significantly more in the RT&WL group (-0.8%) during 6 months of supervised gymnasium-based training; however, this effect was not maintained after an additional 6 months of home-based training. In contrast, the greater increase in lean body mass (LBM) observed in the RT&WL group compared with the WL group (0.9 kg, P < 0.05) after the gymnasium-based training tended to be maintained after the home-based training (0.8 kg, P = 0.08). Similarly, the gymnasium-based increases in upper body and lower body muscle strength in the RT&WL group were maintained over the 12 months (P < 0.001). There were no between-group differences for changes in body weight, fat mass, fasting glucose, or insulin at 6 or 12 months. In older adults with type 2 diabetes, home-based progressive resistance training was effective for maintaining the gymnasium-based improvements in muscle strength and LBM but not glycemic control. Reductions in adherence and exercise training volume and intensity seem to impede the effectiveness of home-based training for maintaining improved glycemic control.

High prevalence of insulin resistance in postpubertal Asian Indian children is associated with adverse truncal body fat patterning, abdominal adiposity and excess body fat.

The objectives were to study the relationships of insulin resistance with generalized and abdominal obesity, and body fat patterning in urban postpubertal Asian Indian children. Cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study. In all, 250 (155 males and 95 females) healthy urban postpubertal children. Anthropometric profile, percentage of body fat (%BF), fasting serum insulin, and lipoprotein profile. Fasting insulin correlated significantly with body mass index (BMI), %BF, waist circumference (WC), central and peripheral skinfold thicknesses and sum of four skinfold thicknesses (Sigma 4SF) in both sexes, and with systolic blood pressure and waist-to hip circumference ratio (W-HR) in males only. Consistent increase in fasting insulin was noted with increasing values of central skinfold thickness at each tertile of peripheral skinfold thickness, WC, and %BF. Central skinfold thickness correlated with fasting insulin even after adjusting for WC, W-HR, and %BF. The odds ratios (OR) (95% CI) of hyperinsulinemia (fasting insulin concentrations in the highest quartile) were 4.7 (2.4-9.4) in overweight subjects, 8 (4.1-15.5) with high %BF, 6.4 (3.2-12.9) with high WC, 3.7 (1.9-7.3) with high W-HR, 6.8 (3.3-13.9) with high triceps skinfold thickness, 8 (4.1-15.7) with high subscapular skinfold thickness, and 10.1 (5-20.5) with high Sigma 4SF. In step-wise multiple logistic regression analysis, %BF [OR (95% CI): 3.2 (1.4-7.8)] and Sigma 4SF [OR (95% CI): 4.5 (1.8-11.3)] were independent predictors of hyperinsulinemia, similar to insulin resistance assessed by HOMA (homeostatic model of assessment) in the study. A high prevalence of insulin resistance in postpubertal urban Asian Indian children was associated with excess body fat, abdominal adiposity, and excess truncal subcutaneous fat. Primary prevention strategies for coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus in Asian Indians should focus on the abnormal body composition profile in childhood.