Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of growth hormone in patients on chronic haemodialysis compared with matched healthy subjects: an open, nonrandomized, parallel-group trial.

Background: GH may be beneficial in treating patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, the efficacy and safety of GH could be compromised by the potential for accumulation in the circulation.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and safety of GH treatment in ESRD patients.

Design: This was an open, nonrandomized, single-centre parallel-group study lasting 8-9 days.

Subjects: Eleven adult ESRD patients and 10 matched healthy individuals received recombinant human GH (50 microg/kg/day for 7 days) by subcutaneous injection; there were two dose reductions (25%) from Day 5/7. ESRD patients underwent dialysis four times.

Measurements: Serum concentrations of GH, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-I (IGFBP-I), IGFBP-III and GHBP were measured. The primary end-point was GH exposure [area-under-the-curve (AUC) calculated from the 24-h profile] on Days 7-8.

Results: GH AUC(0-24 h) was greater for patients (387.91 +/- 134.13 microg h/l) than healthy subjects (225.35 +/- 59.63 microg h/l) and the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the estimated patient : healthy subject ratio (1.40-2.07) was not within the acceptance interval (0.67-1.50). GH AUC(18-24 h) for patients and healthy subjects (3.03 +/- 2.71 microg h/l and 6.37 +/- 4.21 microg h/l) returned approximately to baseline (2.86 +/- 3.91 microg h/l and 1.09 +/- 1.43 microg h/l); terminal half-life (t(1/2,z)) was shorter for patients (2.28 +/- 00.43 h vs. 3.23 +/- 00.75 h). No major safety issues were identified.

Conclusions: Results demonstrate a difference between patients and healthy subjects regarding GH AUC(0-24 h). However, GH concentrations for both groups were comparable to baseline by 20-22 h, thus GH was not retained in the circulation of ESRD patients.