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Horm Metab Res 2011; 43(13): 956-961
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1291246
Humans, Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Weekly Administered Sustained-release Growth Hormone Reduces Visceral Fat and Waist Circumference in Abdominal Obesity

J. W. Hong
1   Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
J. K. Park
1   Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
C.-Y Lim
2   Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
,
S. W. Kim
3   Curensia Clinic, Seoul, Korea
,
Y.-S Chung
4   Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi, Korea
,
S. W. Kim
5   Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul Gyeonggi, Korea
,
E. J. Lee
1   Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
6   Endocrinology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 11 May 2011

accepted after second revision 21 September 2011

Publication Date:
09 November 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Administration of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in obesity has been known to lead to a decrease in visceral adiposity and an increase in lean body mass. Most studies have used supraphysiological doses of rhGH, which were administered daily or every other day. We aimed to evaluate whether weekly administered low dose of sustained-release rhGH (SR-rhGH) could play a therapeutic role in the treatment of abdominal obesity. Prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicenter pilot study was carried out. Participants were 26 adults aged 40–65 years old with abdominal obesity (male: waist circumference >90 cm, female: waist circumference >85 cm). The subjects were given 3 mg of SR-rhGH, administered subcutaneously, weekly for 26 weeks. SR-rhGH treatment for 26 weeks increased the IGF-1 level by 56.53±76.09 μg/l (SDS 0.77±1.12) compared to the baseline (p=0.0022). After 26 weeks, SR-rhGH treatment reduced abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (140.35±75.97 to 128.43±73.85 cm2, p=0.0038). Average waist circumference decreased from 96.25±6.41 to 91.93±6.13 cm (p<0.0001) after treatment. However, body weight or lean body mass did not show any significant change. In conclusion, SR-rhGH treatment for 26 weeks reduced abdominal visceral fat and waist circumference without severe adverse events. Further studies may be considered on the role of weekly administered SR-rhGH as a treatment for abdominal obesity.

Key words

growth hormone - abdominal obesity - visceral fat - subcutaneous adipose tissue - waist circumference
 

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