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T B Hansen

Publications and source records attributed to T B Hansen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Growth inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by a nonbacteriocinogenic Carnobacterium piscicola.

AIMS: This study elucidates the mechanisms by which a nonbacteriocinogenic Carnobacterium piscicola inhibits growth of Listeria monocytogenes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Listeria monocytogenes was exposed to live cultures of a bacteriocin-negative variant of C. piscicola A9b in co-culture, in a diffusion chamber system, and to a cell-free supernatant. Suppression of maximum cell density (0-3.5 log units) of L. monocytogenes was proportional to initial levels of C. pisciola (10(3)-10(7) CFU ml(-1)). Cell-to-cell contact was not required to cause inhibition. The cell-free C. piscicola supernatant caused a decrease in L. monocytogenes maximum cell density, which was abolished by glucose addition but not by amino acid, vitamin or mineral addition. The fermentate also gave rise to a longer lag phase and a reduction in growth rate. These effects were independent of glucose and may have been caused by acetate production by C. piscicola. 2D gel-electrophoretic patterns of L. monocytogenes exposed to C. piscicola or to L. monocytogenes fermentate did not differ. Treatment with C. piscicola fermentate resulted in down-regulation (twofold) of genes involved in purine- or pyrimidine metabolism, and up-regulation (twofold) of genes from the regulon for vitamin B12 biosynthesis and propanediol and ethanolamine utilization. CONCLUSIONS: A nonbacteriocinogenic C. piscicola reduced growth of L. monocytogenes partly by glucose depletion. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Understanding the mechanism of microbial interaction enhances prediction of growth in mixed communities as well as use of bioprotective principles for food preservation.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Dose-, IGF-I- and sex-dependent changes in lipid profile and body composition during GH replacement therapy in adult onset GH deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with GH deficiency of adult onset (GHDA) exhibit dyslipidaemia and increased cardiovascular morbidity. GH replacement potently reduces body fat and serum lipids in GHDA. In recent years, lower GH doses have been introduced. The purpose of this analysis was to explore the response relationship between GH doses, lipids and body composition. DESIGN: Two consecutive, randomized 12-month GH replacement studies covering placebo and three different doses of GH (0.5, 1.0 and 1.7 IU/m(2) per day). Low and intermediate doses were IGF-I titrated. PATIENTS: Fifty-eight patients with severe GHDA, not previously treated with GH and stably substituted for other endocrine deficiencies, were included in the study. METHODS: Serum lipoproteins, serum IGF-I and body composition analysis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were used. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of patients exhibited low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels above 4.16 mmol/l, corresponding to the American Heart Association threshold of 160 mg/dl. GH treatment resulted in significant decreases in total and LDL cholesterol, with no significant change in high density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides. The low dose induced no significant changes in lipid levels, whereas the medium dose reduced LDL cholesterol and the high dose decreased both LDL and total cholesterol. The effects depended significantly on the GH dose and the level of IGF-I obtained, but not on gender. GH replacement induced dose-dependent reductions in fat mass and sex-dependent increases in lean mass. CONCLUSIONS: GH given for 1 year at a dosage between 0.5 and 1.7 IU/m(2) per day reduced fat mass in a dose-dependent manner, increased lean body mass and lowered total and LDL cholesterol in patients with severe GHDA. Low dose GH treatment with normal IGF-I levels induced smaller changes compared with high dose therapy, and may need a longer treatment time.

Adipose Tissue↗

Image analysis method for evaluation of specific and non-specific hand contamination.

AIMS: To evaluate a quantifying image analysis method for assessing the degree of hand contamination and efficacy of hand washing procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two types of experimental design were used. In one, different concentrations of pure cultures of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Pseudomonas flourescens were applied to hands. In the other, hands were contaminated by handling various raw foods. Imprints of the contaminated palms were made on 24.5 x 24.5 cm agar plates using appropriate agars. After incubation, digital photographs of the plates were analysed using image analysis. In pure culture studies with selective agars, levels from 1 to 10(6) CFU cm(-2) palm could be monitored. For aerobic, mesophilic organisms from raw chicken, levels from 10(3) to 10(6) CFU cm(-2) palm were correlated linearly to image analysis data. CONCLUSIONS: The image analysis of palm imprints made on agar plates was suitable for assessing the degree of contamination from foods on the palms. Sensitivity and specificity depended on the agar used and the type of contamination encountered. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Data capture by the image analysis method is simple and can be partly automated. Sampling time is short for the person to be tested, which makes it an attractive method for assessing hand hygiene status in larger field trials.

Agar↗

Evaluation of the optimum dose of growth hormone (GH) for restoring bone mass in adult-onset GH deficiency: results from two 12-month randomized studies.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the optimum GH dose for restoring bone mineral density (BMD) in adult-onset GH deficiency (GHDA). DESIGN: Two separate randomized, controlled clinical trials. PATIENTS: Fifty-eight adults aged 45.1 (20-64) years with severe GHDA were followed in two 12-month studies. In the first study, patients were randomized to placebo or GH 1.7 IU/m2/day and in the second study GH 0.5 IU/m2/day or 1.0 IU/m2/day. MEASUREMENTS: BMD of the spine, hip, forearm and whole body was measured at 0 and 12 months. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) and collagen markers serum C-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PICP), type I collagen telopeptide (ICTP) and N-terminal propeptide of type III collagen (PIIINP) were measured at baseline and every 3 months. RESULTS: Biochemical markers of skeletal and soft tissue collagen increased significantly and remained elevated throughout the study period. BMD changes depended on site, dose and gender. In placebo-treated patients, spinal BMD declined by 2.5%. At the low and medium doses, BMD increased by 2.4 and 3.1%, respectively, while a nonsignificant 0.2% decrease was seen with high dose. Forearm BMD decreased by 4.9% (P < 0.05) with high-dose treatment but remained unchanged at lower doses. Males showed larger gains in BMD, but the dose-response relationship was similar in males and females. CONCLUSION: A GH dose of 0.5-1.0 IU/m2/day (4-9 micro g/kg/day) stimulated bone remodelling and increased BMD over 12 months in patients with severe GHDA, irrespective of gender. A higher dose (1.7 IU/m2/day congruent with 15 micro g/kg/day) was associated with initial declines in forearm and whole-body BMD.

Adenoma↗

Frequency of bacteriocin resistance development and associated fitness costs in Listeria monocytogenes.

Bacteriocin-producing starter cultures have been suggested as natural food preservatives; however, development of resistance in the target organism is a major concern. We investigated the development of resistance in Listeria monocytogenes to the two major bacteriocins pediocin PA-1 and nisin A, with a focus on the variations between strains and the influence of environmental conditions. While considerable strain-specific variations in the frequency of resistance development and associated fitness costs were observed, the influence of environmental stress seemed to be bacteriocin specific. Pediocin resistance frequencies were determined for 20 strains and were in most cases ca. 10(-6). However, two strains with intermediate pediocin sensitivity had 100-fold-higher pediocin resistance frequencies. Nisin resistance frequencies (14 strains) were in the range of 10(-7) to 10(-2). Strains with intermediate nisin sensitivity were among those with the highest frequencies. Environmental stress in the form of low temperature (10 degrees C), reduced pH (5.5), or the presence of NaCl (6.5%) did not influence the frequency of pediocin resistance development; in contrast, the nisin resistance frequency was considerably reduced (<5 x 10(-8)). Pediocin resistance in all spontaneous mutants was very stable, but the stability of nisin resistance varied. Pediocin-resistant mutants had fitness costs in the form of reduction down to 44% of the maximum specific growth rate of the wild-type strain. Nisin-resistant mutants had fewer and less-pronounced growth rate reductions. The fitness costs were not increased upon applying environmental stress (5 degrees C, 6.5% NaCl, or pH 5.5), indicating that the bacteriocin-resistant mutants were not more stress sensitive than the wild-type strains. In a saveloy-type meat model at 5 degrees C, however, the growth differences seemed to be negligible. The applicational perspectives of the results are discussed.

Animals↗

Effects of 12 months of GH treatment on cortical and trabecular bone content of IGFs and OPG in adults with acquired GH deficiency: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

To investigate the effects of 12 months of GH treatment on cortical and trabecular bone content of IGFs, iliac crest bone biopsies were obtained from 25 patients with GH deficiency (9 women and 16 men; ages, 21-61 yr; mean, 46 yr) who were randomized to sc injections with GH (2 IU/m(2).d) or placebo for 12 months. Levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, IGFBP-5, osteocalcin, OPG, RANKL, and total protein were determined in extracts obtained after EDTA and guanidine hydrochloride extraction. Calcium was determined after HCl hydrolysis. Comparing changes during GH or placebo treatment, significant increases were observed during GH substitution for cortical and trabecular bone content of IGF-I [mean difference vs. placebo (mean +/- SEM), 97 +/- 30 and 72 +/- 38%] and OPG (mean difference vs. placebo, 109 +/- 59 and 51 +/- 19%). Also, a significant decline was found for cortical osteocalcin (mean difference vs. placebo, -49 +/- 22%) during GH treatment. In conclusion, our results indicate that long-term GH treatment increases the accumulation of IGF-I and OPG in cortical and trabecular bone in patients with GH deficiency, and this may in turn lead to an increase in bone mass and improved skeletal biomechanical competence.

Adult↗

[Hormone replacement therapy reduces the risk of forearm fracture in postmenopausal women. Results of the Danish Osteoporosis Prevention Study].

In a prospective, controlled, comprehensive cohort trial of 2,016 healthy early postmenopausal women aged 45-58 years we studied fracture prevention through the use of oestrogen. There were two main study arms: a randomised arm (randomised to HRT [n = 502] or not [n = 504]) and a non-randomised arm (on HRT [n = 221] or not [n = 789] by own choice). After five years, an intention-to-treat analysis (n = 2,016) showed a reduction in the overall fracture risk (RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.50-1.05) and in the forearm fracture risk (RR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.22-0.90) with oestrogen. Restriction of the analysis to women who had adhered to their initial allocation of either oestrogen (n = 395) or no oestrogen (n = 977) showed a significant reduction in both the overall fracture risk (RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39-0.97) and the risk of forearm fractures (RR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09-0.69). We conclude that it is possible to reduce the number of forearm fractures in early postmenopausal women by the use of oestrogen as primary prevention.

Aged↗

[Complications of transligamental knee arthroscopy. The frequency of pain and ultrasonographic changes in the inferior patellar tendon].

INTRODUCTION: We wanted to investigate whether the transtendineous portal for arthroscopy was causing damage to the patellar tendon (PT). We also wanted to assess postoperative complaints related to the patellar tendon. METHODS: Out of 59 consecutive patients, who had neither anterior knee pain nor ultrasonographic changes in the tendon, and who had a planned transtendineous arthroscopy of the knee because of a suspected meniscal lesion or osteoarthritis, 36 patients were given both a clinical examination and ultrasonography of the PT before surgery and at two and six months. RESULTS: At the six months follow-up, 20 patients had tenderness of the PT, which was fewer than at the two-month follow-up. Ten patients had signs of granuloma formation of the patellar tendon and four had signs of perifibrosis/peritendinitis on ultrasonography. There was no statistical correlation between tenderness of the patellar tendon and granuloma formation (p = 0.48, Fisher's exact test) or perifibrosis/peritendinitis (p = 0.78, Fisher's exact test). DISCUSSION: More than 25% of the patients showed granuloma formation on ultrasonography and more than 50% had complaints from the patellar tendon, but both the symptoms and the complaints seemed to decline over time. The consequences of the postoperative changes in the patellar tendon six months postoperatively are uncertain, as there was no statistical correlation between tenderness of the PT and the findings at ultrasonography. Further studies are recommended to investigate the changes in the PT when this method is used.

Arthroscopy↗

Factors influencing resuscitation and growth of heat injured Listeria monocytogenes 13-249 in sous vide cooked beef.

The growth of Listeria monocytogenes 13-249 in vacuum-packed, minced beef was investigated as a function of degree of heat injury (including no injury i.e. uncooked beef), growth phase (logarithmic and late stationary phase), pH (5.6 and 6.2), and storage temperature (3, 10 and 20 degrees C) during a storage period of 30 days. Late logarithmic and late stationary phase cultures of L. monocytogenes 13-249 showed similar growth in refrigerated, vacuum-packed, raw minced beef with a high pH (6.2). In normal pH (5.6) beef there was no growth at 3 degrees C while growth at 10 and 20 degrees C was only observed for logarithmic phase cultures. Heat injured late stationary phase cultures with 95-99.9% injured cells in the surviving population (as measured by differential plating on enriched vs. selective media after sous vide cooking) did not grow or repair sublethal injuries in sous vide cooked beef at 3 degrees C while repair and growth took place at 10 as well as at 20 degrees C. In logarithmic phase cultures heat injury occurred very rapidly and > or = 99.9% heat injury was observed in all trials in spite of much lower pasteurization values and fewer log10 reductions compared with late stationary phase cultures. Regardless of growth phase, all cultures where a high degree of heat injury (> or = 99.9%) was observed, did not subsequently grow in the beef product at 3 or 10 degrees C within 30 days. Growth of heat injured cultures preexposed to heat shock (46 degrees C, 30 min) or slowly rising temperatures (0.3 degrees C min(-1)) before heat injury was also investigated. Heat shocked or heat adapted cultures generally responded in the same manner as non-stressed cultures (no growth at 3 degrees C) except that a longer lag phase was observed in beef processed at slowly rising temperatures and in normal pH beef at 10 degrees C. Although processing at slowly rising temperatures may slightly increase the survival of L. monocytogenes 13-249 in cooked beef, there seem to be no indication of an increase in subsequent growth potential of the surviving cells.

Animals↗

Hormonal replacement therapy reduces forearm fracture incidence in recent postmenopausal women - results of the Danish Osteoporosis Prevention Study.

OBJECTIVES: To study the fracture reducing potential of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in recent postmenopausal women in a primary preventive scenario. METHODS: Prospective controlled comprehensive cohort trial: 2016 healthy women aged 45-58 years, from three to 24 months past last menstrual bleeding were recruited from a random sample of the background population. Mean age was 50. 8+/-2.8 years, and the number of person years followed was 9335.3. There were two main study arms: a randomised arm (randomised to HRT; n=502, or not; n=504) and a non-randomised arm (on HRT; n=221, or not; n=789 by own choice). First line HRT was oral sequential oestradiol/norethisterone in women with intact uterus and oral continuous oestradiol in hysterectomised women. RESULTS: After five years, a total of 156 fractures were sustained by 140 women. There were 51 forearm fractures in 51 women. By intention-to-treat analysis (n=2016), overall fracture risk was borderline statistically significantly reduced (RR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.50-1.05), and forearm fracture risk was significantly reduced (RR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.22-0.90) with HRT. Restricting the analysis to women who had adhered to their initial allocation of either HRT (n=395) or no HRT (n=977) showed a significant reduction in both the overall fracture risk (RR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.39-0.97) and the risk of forearm fractures (RR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.09-0.69). Compliance with HRT was 65% after five years. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to reduce the number of forearm fractures and possibly the total number of fractures in recent postmenopausal women by use of HRT as primary prevention.

Age Factors↗

Growth hormone treatment in adults with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency increases iliac crest trabecular bone turnover: a 1-year, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

The effects of growth hormone (GH) substitution on bone metabolism were evaluated by dynamic histomorphometry on iliac crest bone biopsies. Twenty-nine patients, aged 21-61 years (mean 45.5 years), with adult-onset GH deficiency (GHD) were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections with GH (2 IU/m2/day = 0.67 mg/m2/day) or placebo for 12 months. Serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels increased 263 +/- 98% (mean +/- SD) during GH treatment (p < 0.0001). In the GH group, osteoid surface increased during treatment from 11% (3-15%) (median [25-75 percentiles]) to 21% (10-27%) (p = 0.01) and mineralizing surface from 4% (1-8%) to 11%(7-16%) (p = 0.04). Moreover, erosion surface tended to increase in the GH group from 2% (1-3%) to 4% (3-5%) (p = 0.07). The quiescent surface decreased in the GH group from 87% (83-96%) to 74% (68-87%) (p = 0.01). The adjusted appositional rate, mineral apposition rate, bone formation rate, bone erosion rate, mineralization lag time, and osteoid thickness remained unchanged during treatment. Erosion depth showed a trend toward increase in the GH group (p = 0.09), whereas wall thickness was unchanged. Bone balance at the remodeling unit level and activation frequency were unchanged. At the tissue level, bone erosion rate increased significantly from 26% (17-36%)/year to 39% (23-72%)/year (p = 0.03). Similarly, the bone formation rate at the tissue level tended to increase, from 24% (15-31%)/year to 36% (17%-63%)%/year (p = 0.06). Finally, bone balance at the tissue level decreased significantly from 1% (-2-2%)/year to -5% (-13-1%)/year (p = 0.01). No significant difference in change was seen in the cancellous bone volume. We conclude that 12 months of GH substitution therapy increases trabecular bone turnover. Moreover, our data suggest that bone balance at the bone multicellular unit level is not changed to positive.

Adult↗

Influence of growth hormone on whole body and regional soft tissue composition in adult patients on hemodialysis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Many adult patients in chronic hemodialysis exhibit malnourishment and muscle wasting, which in some may be due partly to blockage of the biological action of growth hormone and the somatomedines. Growth hormone (GH) promotes protein synthesis, and long-term treatment with growth hormone has induced an augmentation in lean body-mass (LBM) in normal elderly persons, in persons with GH deficiency as well as growth improvement in uremic children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term GH treatment on soft tissues in hemodialyzed patients by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with special regard to the improvement in lean body mass and fat mass (FM). DESIGN: The study was double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled. Twenty enfeebled patients in chronic hemodialysis were treated by subcutaneous injections of biosynthetic human GH (4 IU/m2 per day) or placebo, given every evening for 6 months. Soft tissues as LBM and FM, were measured by DXA scan, and height, and weight were recorded before, and after 6 months treatment. Serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and type III collagen N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP) were analyzed at baseline and after 2, 4 and 6 months. RESULTS: Six months of GH therapy induced a total FM reduction of 3.05 +/- 0.75 kg (mean +/- SEM) (p < 0.001) (n = 9) corresponding to 25% of the total fat mass. The reduction in fat was most marked at the trunk, i.e. 1.39 +/- 0.41 kg (p < 0.001) corresponding to 40% of the total FM reduction. Total LBM increased by 3.14 +/-0.41 kg (p < 0.001) in the GH group. Regional changes for arm, truncus and leg in GH group amounted to 0.22 +/- 0.06 kg (p < 0.001), 1.64 +/- 0.37 kg (p < 0.001) and 0.51 +/- 0.06 kg (p < 0.001), respectively. In contrast, total body weight remained unchanged. Serum IGF-I increased from 199 +/- 14.8 microg/l to 527 +/- 111 microg/l (p < 0.0001) at month 6, and the serum PIIINP from 7.8 +/- 1.3/microg/l to 14.3 +/- 2.1 microg/l (p < 0.001) in the GH-treated group. In the placebo group (n = 11) there were no significant changes in FM, LBM or PIIINP while serum IGF-I decreased from 285 +/- 36 microg/l to 219 +/- 35 microg/l (p < 0.01) after 6 months treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Six months of GH therapy to patients with chronic renal failure resulted in marked changes of the soft tissue with an increase in LBM, and reduction of FM particularly at the trunk. The data imply that GH-induced changes in body composition are maintained with long-term therapy. Very few side-effects of GH treatment were observed, and no serious ones were encountered, though the dosage were 2 to 3 times higher than the one given to GH-insufficient, non-uremic persons, and the serum IGF-I concentrations during treatment equalized those seen in acromegalia. This indicates the existence of a reduced biological effect of GH and IGF-I in uremic persons.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

[Misuse of emergency ambulance services].

The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of misuse of ambulance emergency services for minor injuries in a defined area and population. Case records concerning all patients (2708) treated in the period 19.02-13.06.96 at the A&E departments at Holstebro and Herning Central Hospitals were reviewed. The following factors were predictive of use of ambulance for transportation to the A&E department in minor injuries: Traffic accident, age 18-25 years and injuries to head and back. Approximately 50% of all patients transported by ambulance emergency were estimated to have been able to be treated by general practitioners instead. In conclusion, although a certain amount of misuse of ambulance emergency services among patients treated for minor injuries were identified, the incidence of misuse was not more than 1.5/day in a population of appr. 200.000.

Accidents↗

Hand injuries in agricultural accidents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of hand injuries due to farming accidents in a defined population with a representative mixture of agricultural activities. During a 12-month period all agricultural accidents treated at the five hospitals in the County of Ringkøbing, Denmark were prospectively registered. Follow-up was done by telephone interview 4 months after the accident. Of the 260 persons injured in agricultural accidents, 117 (45%) had lesions of the upper extremity and 73 persons (28%) had hand injuries. The most common injuries were lacerations and amputations (45%) followed by fractures (36%). Mean sick leave was 25 days, and mean work impairment was 31 days in patients with hand injuries.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Ultrasonography may be misleading in the diagnosis of ruptured and dislocated ulnar collateral ligaments of the thumb.

To find out if a non-invasive technique (ultrasonography) was able to identify a dislocated ligament of a metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb with instability of the ulnar collateral ligament, 14 consecutive patients with clinical rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament were examined with ultrasonography before the ligament was explored. At exploration all ligaments were ruptured, and only five out of the 14 were dislocated. Ultrasonography recognised only two of the dislocated ligaments, and in half of the 14 patients the ultrasound scan gave incorrect information about the position of the ligament. We conclude that ultrasonography is not adequate for identifying dislocated ulnar collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, and exploration is indicated in those with clinical instability in which palpation either suggests a dislocated ligament or is inconclusive.

Collateral Ligaments↗

Carpal tunnel syndrome after epiphysiolysis of the distal radius in a 5-year-old child. Case report.

Carpal tunnel syndrome after fracture of the distal radius is a well known complication in adults, but in small children carpal tunnel syndrome is extremely rare. A case of carpal tunnel syndrome in a 5-year-old girl is presented. She had a distal epiphysiolysis of the radius, which was treated conservatively. Eight weeks after removal of the plaster of Paris she had clinical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome after exercise but without new injuries. Conservative treatment with a dorsal splint was effective, and all her symptoms disappeared. So conservative treatment seems worth considering before operation in similar cases.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗

Increased cortical bone content of insulin-like growth factors in acromegalic patients.

To investigate cortical bone composition and the role of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in active acromegaly, iliac crest bone biopsies were obtained from 15 patients (3 women and 12 men), aged 21-64 yr (mean, 45.6 yr), and 25 age- and sex-matched controls (8 women and 17 men), aged 22-66 yr (mean, 44.6 yr). Levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), IGFBP-5, and total protein were determined in extracts obtained after ethylenediamine tetraacetate and guanidine hydrochloride extraction. Osteocalcin and calcium were determined in extracts after HCl hydrolysis. Cortical bone contents of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-5 were significantly elevated in the acromegalic patients compared with control values [91% (P < 0.001), 44% (P < 0.04), and 115% (P < 0.004), respectively]. There was no significant difference in IGFBP-3, osteocalcin, protein, and calcium between patients and controls. This study suggests that the increased levels of growth factors in cortical bone from acromegalics is a reflection of local production, secondary to a chronic systemic excess of GH and IGF-I.

Acromegaly↗

Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins in adult hemodialysis patients treated with recombinant human growth hormone.

BACKGROUND: Growth deficiency and malnutrition in uremic children are often caused by malfunction of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis and can be corrected by treatment with GH. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of GH, IGF-I and II and their binding proteins compared to changes in body composition in adult, enfeebled, uremic patients in chronic hemodialysis (HD), treated for 6 months with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). METHODS: 31 patients were included in a controlled, randomized, double-blinded study using either 4 IU/m2/day of rhGH or placebo injected subcutaneously every evening for 6 months. RESULTS: Fasting levels of GH were normal at start and increased significantly from 2.2 to 13.5 microg/l (p = 0.01) within the first 4 months of rhGH treatment. Before treatment IGF-I was at the upper limit of normal range (130 to 220 microg/l) in both groups, and it increased significantly from 213 to 348 microg/l (p = 0.01) during rhGH treatment. IGF-II was above the normal range in both groups, and remained unchanged throughout. IGFBP-1 decreased in the rhGH-treated group from 53.1 to 24.7 microg/l (p = 0.004), while IGFBP-3 increased from 5620 to 7100 microg/l (p = 0.004). The molar ratio of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 increased significantly from 14 to 25% (p = 0.01), while the ratio decreased in the placebo group (p = 0.01). During the treatment with rhGH the patients increased their lean body mass (= muscle mass) by a median of 3.18 kg (range 0.82 to 5.12 kg) (p = 0.0001) while their fat mass decreased by a median of 3.33 kg (range 0.18 to 5.82 kg) (p = 0.004). Total body mass (= weight) remained stable. No significant changes were observed in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: The baseline GH and IGF-I concentrations were normal in malnourished HD patients. When treated with rhGH in a dosage as used in growth-retarded uremic children, IGF-I increased to the levels seen in acromegalic persons. IGF-I increased more than IGFBP-3 whereby its biological activity obviously improved. This was reflected in an increased muscle mass and a decreased fat mass. The rhGH treatment was well tolerated.

Adipose Tissue↗