Urinary growth hormone (U-GH) excretion and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

Abstract

Basal serum growth hormone (GH) levels are elevated and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentrations in serum are suppressed in patients with chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to measure the urinary GH (U-GH) excretion and IGF-1 concentrations in patients with cirrhosis and to correlate these both to clinical and biochemical characteristics and survival rate. Urinary GH excretion, IGF-1, and other biochemical parameters were measured in 36 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, while in the control group of 34 healthy individuals only U-GH excretion was measured. U-GH excretion was significantly higher in patients than in the healthy controls (p < 0.00001), and increased with deteriorating liver function assessed by modified Child-Turcotte score (p < 0.01). The highest U-GH excretions were found in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (p < 0.003). IGF-1 levels were reduced in cirrhosis and correlated with liver function (p < 0.001). Serum IGF-1 concentrations below 3.1 nmol/l were associated with a poor prognosis (p < 0.004). The elevated U-GH in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis may reflect high serum levels of GH due to increased pituitary secretion or decreased hepatic degradation of GH. In addition, the IGF-1 levels reflect the degree of hepatic insufficiency and, thus, seem to provide new prognostic information.

• Authors: S Møller, M Grønbaek, K Main, U Becker, N E Skakkebaek
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 17 Issue 3 Pg. 315-20 (Mar 1993) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 8315259 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
• Growth Hormone

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Growth Hormone (urine)
• Humans
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (metabolism)
• Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic (metabolism, mortality)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Survival Rate