High affinity growth hormone binding protein in plasma of patients with acromegaly and the effect of octreotide treatment.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of plasma GH-levels on the high affinity growth hormone binding protein (GHBP).

PATIENTS:

We studied plasma samples of eight patients with acromegaly and eight age and sex matched healthy subjects.

DESIGN:

Patients with acromegaly were treated with octreotide administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion. Levels of growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) were measured in plasma samples before therapy and 3, 6 and 12 months after starting treatment. During this period, octreotide was administered in doses of 300-800 micrograms/day. The mean dose per patient over the study period ranged from 300 to 575 micrograms/24 h. The GHBP levels of patients with acromegaly were compared with those in the healthy subjects.

MEASUREMENTS:

Bound and free 125I-GH in plasma were measured using FPLC gel chromatography on a Superose 12 column, after an overnight incubation period. The binding data were used for a Scatchard plot analysis. Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

We found lower GHBP levels in acromegalic patients (P = 0.01) than in the control subjects. Octreotide treatment resulted in IGF-I levels < 300 micrograms/l in four patients. In these patients GHBP levels increased.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that growth hormone binding protein levels are down regulated in acromegaly, indicating an important role for GH in the regulation of this protein.

• Authors: C A Roelen, G H Donker, J H Thijssen, H P Koppeschaar, M A Blankenstein
• Journal: Clinical endocrinology (Clin Endocrinol (Oxf)) Vol. 37 Issue 4 Pg. 373-8 (Oct 1992) ISSN: 0300-0664 [Print] England
• PMID: 1483295 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Carrier Proteins
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
• Growth Hormone
• Octreotide
• somatotropin-binding protein

Topics

• Acromegaly (blood, drug therapy)
• Adult
• Carrier Proteins (blood)
• Female
• Growth Hormone (blood)
• Humans
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (analysis)
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Octreotide (therapeutic use)
• Retrospective Studies