IGF - Epicardial fat thickness significantly decreases after short-term growth hormon

Related Articles Epicardial fat thickness significantly decreases after short-term growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in adults with GH deficiency.



Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2013 May;23(5):459-65



Authors: Ferrante E, Malavazos AE, Giavoli C, Ermetici F, Coman C, Bergamaschi S, Profka E, Briganti S, Ronchi CL, Passeri E, Corbetta S, Lania AG, Spada A, Iacobellis G, Ambrosi B, Beck-Peccoz P





Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) is characterized by increased visceral fat accumulation. Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness is a new marker of visceral adiposity. Aim of the present study was to evaluate whether epicardial fat thickness can significantly change and therefore serve as a marker of visceral fat reduction after short-term rhGH replacement therapy in patients with adult-onset GHD.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness was measured in 18 patients (10~M, 8~F, age 48~±~11.8~yrs, BMI 29~±~5.9~kg/m(2)) with adult-onset GHD, at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of rhGH therapy and in 18 healthy matched controls, at baseline. Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness, conventional anthropometric and metabolic parameters, body fat percentage and quality of life were also evaluated. Epicardial fat thickness in adult GHD patients was higher than in controls (9.8~±~2.8 vs 8~±~3~mm, p~