GH-IGF-I axis in non-obese women with functional hyperandrogenism

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the GH-IGF-I axis in non-obese women with functional hyperandrogenism (FH). Eighteen FH women aged 18-35 yr with a body weight within 20% of ideal body weight and 10 weight-matched controls were included in the study. Basal serum GH, GH-binding protein (GHBP), IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels were determined as well as GH levels during GHRH stimulation. In addition, basal serum androgens [free T (FT), delta4 and DHEAS], insulin and glucose levels were determined. The group of non-obese patients with FH differed from controls in GHBP (1.21+/-0.37 vs 0.93+/-0.25 nmol/l; p<0.05) and androgen levels (FT: 8.0+/-3.2 vs 1.9+/-1.2 pmol/l, p<0.001; delta4: 10.5+/-3.2 vs 5.9+/-2.1 nmol/l, p<0.001; DHEAS: 9.3+/-3.0 vs 5.1+/-1.8 micromol/l, p<0.001). GH (r=0.365; p<0.05) and IGF-I (r=0.508, p<0.01) serum levels were significantly correlated to serum DHEAS levels in a combined group of patients and controls. Our results support the suggestion that the GH-IGF-I axis plays an important role in the evolution of hormonal and metabolic derangement in non-obese FH women.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) modulates GHRH, somatostatin and angiotensin II action at the pituitary level

“…Furthermore, it has also been reported that serum DHEA levels correlate positively with GH and IGF-I levels in nonobese women with functional hyperandrogenism (Legan et al 2002), in pubertal development, and in aging (Shealy 1995, Kroboth et al 1999. DHEA replacement in old healthy people as well as in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency produced an increase in serum IGF-I (Arlt et al 1999).…”