Patel, M.B.R., Arden, N.K., Masterson, L.M., Phillips, D.I.W., Swaminathan, R., Syddall, H.E., Byrne, C.D., Wood, P.J., Cooper, C. and Holt, R.I.G. (2005) Investigating the role of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis as a determinant of male bone mineral density (BMD). Bone, 37 (6), 833-841. (doi:10.1016/j.bone.2005.06.016).
Abstract
Introduction: The GH–IGF axis has profound effects on bone metabolism and may be important in the etiology of idiopathic osteoporosis. Serum IGF-I is often low in men with osteoporosis, which may be attributable to GH hypo-secretion or hepatic GH insensitivity. We studied the GH–IGF axis in depth to look for evidence to support these hypotheses.
Materials and methods: 28 healthy 60- to 70-year-old men with low, intermediate, or normal BMD were studied. GH secretion was measured by overnight urine collection. GH reserve was assessed by exercise and glucagon stimulation tests. Hepatic IGF-I production was investigated using a GH–IGF-I generation test. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, linear regression, and analysis of variance.
Results: Serum IGF-I was reduced in subjects with low BMD (P = 0.009). There was no difference in GH secretion or reserve between the groups. Overall, GH reserve and IGF-I were positively related but this was attenuated in the low BMD group. However, no statistically significant difference in IGF-I generation capacity between BMD groups was found.
Conclusions: Men with reduced BMD have low IGF-I but normal GH secretion and reserve. Our data suggested, but could not confirm, hepatic resistance to GH as a mechanism for this association.
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