Continuation of growth hormone therapy versus placebo in transition-phase patients with growth hormone deficiency: impact on body composition, insulin sensitivity, and thyroid function.

In a placebo-controlled, parallel study of 18 patients with a mean age of 20 years who had confirmed growth hormone (GH) deficiency, we evaluated body composition, insulin sensitivity, and glucose turnover at baseline (when all were receiving GH replacement); after 12 months of continued GH therapy or placebo; and after a 12-month open phase of GH therapy. In the placebo group, insulin sensitivity and fat mass increased and lipid oxidation decreased, whereas glucose oxidation increased (p <0.05).

Age dimorphism in the association between growth-hormone status and the respiratory quotient.

Objective: To investigate the impact of age on the association between the respiratory quotient (RQ) and growth-hormone (GH) secretion and to investigate the acute lipolytic response to an exogenous GH bolus.

Research Methods And Procedures: A cross-sectional study of 36 non-obese healthy subjects (18 women and 18 men) from two age groups was used: "younger" (mean age, 29.5 years; range, 27 to 34 years) and "older" (mean age, 50.