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Horm Metab Res 2001; 33(3): 156-162
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14930
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Recombinant Human Growth Hormone, But Not Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I, Enhances Central Fat Loss in Postmenopausal Women Undergoing a Diet and Exercise Program

D. R. Taaffe1 , J. L. Thompson2 , G. E. Butterfield[1] 3 , A. R. Hoffman4, 5 , R. Marcus3, 5
  • 1 Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
  • 2 Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
  • 3 Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
  • 4 Medical Service, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
  • 5 Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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We examined the effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and/or recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) on regional fat loss in postmenopausal women undergoing a weight loss regimen of diet plus exercise. Twenty-seven women aged 59 - 79 years, 20 - 40 % above ideal body weight, completed a 12-week program consisting of resistance training 2 days/week and walking 3 days/week, while consuming a diet that was 500 kcal/day less than that required for weight maintenance. Participants were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive rhGH (0.025 mg/kg BW/day; n = 7), rhIGF-I (0.015 mg/kg BW/day; n = 7), rhGH + rhIGF-I (n = 6), or placebo (PL; n = 7). Regional and whole body fat mass were determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Body fat distribution was assessed by the ratios of trunk fat-to-limb fat (TrF/LimbF) and trunk fat-to-total fat (TrF/TotF). Limb and trunk fat decreased in all groups (p < 0.01). For both ratios of fat distribution, the rhGH treated group experienced an enhanced loss of truncal compared to peripheral fat (p ≤ 0.01), with no significant change for those administered rhIGF-I or PL. There was no association between change in fat distribution and indices of cardiovascular disease risk as determined by serum lipid/lipoprotein levels and maximal aerobic capacity. These results suggest that administration of rhGH facilitates a decrease in central compared to peripheral fat in older women undertaking a weight loss program that combines exercise and moderate caloric restriction, although no beneficial effects are conferred to lipid/lipoprotein profiles. Further, the effect of rhGH is not enhanced by combining rhGH with rhIGF-I administration. In addition, rhIGF-I does not augment the loss of trunk fat when administered alone.

Key words:

Fat Loss - Hormones - Exercise

References

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1 Deceased

D. R. Taaffe, Ph.D.

School of Human Movement Studies
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University of Queensland

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