GH and Body Composition

In adults with GHD, there is a reduction in lean body mass and an increase in abdominal adiposity, which ultimately lead to obesity. [362-368] In a study of 15 healthy adult women, Miller et al. showed that the secretion of GH was much lesser in patients with high truncal fat compared to those with low truncal fat. [369] In another study, researchers found that GH deficiency is associated with high triglyceride levels, hypertension, [370] and low levels of high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol), and that recombinant GH replacement may help improve these body parameters. [371] In a meta-analysis of 37 blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials, Maison et al. found that GH replacement therapy has an overall beneficial effect on LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol profiles. [372] Other studies have also shown that GH therapy in patients with GHD resulted in significant reduction in body fat percentage as well as LDL cholesterol levels. [373-375]