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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #75965
Title: CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION OF HIV-INFECTED MALES RECEIVING GROWTH HORMONE AND INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR I AND GROWTH HORMONE

Author
item ELLIS, KENNETH
item LEE, PHILIP
item PIVARNIK, JAMES
item BUKAR, JULIE

Submitted to: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/27/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Unintentional weight loss is a serious problem of the people who suffer from long-term infection of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Chronic weight loss greater than 10 percent produces a diagnosis of AIDS, which is fatal. But only a few studies have looked at the body composition changes connected with this problem. We wanted to do such a study and figure out whether a certain dose of two ingredients -- growth hormone and insulin- like growth factor-I (IGF-I) -- would stop continued weight loss in HIV- positive men who already had lost at least 10 percent of their weight. Previous studies have indicated these ingredients seem to help stop weight loss. The measurements we got showed that the dose we used did not restore lean-tissue mass, although there was no progression of weight loss during the 12 weeks of the study. Our study is important because it adds to the body of information about potential therapy to deal with the HIV-AIDS epidemic in this country, and more work should ultimately figure out the exact dose that would stop this ongoing weight-loss problem.

Technical Abstract: Weight loss is a common, persistent characteristic of HIV infection. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study design was used to determine if GH and IGF-I could prevent weight loss. For 12 wks, the treatment group received daily doses of 0.68 mg GH and 10 mg IGF-I. Changes in body composition of total body potassium and nitrogen, fat-free mass, and body fat were examined at 6 and 12 wks. At 6 wks, the GH/IGF-I group showed a significant increase in FFM, but minimal increase in potassium, and a substantial loss of body fat. No significant changes occurred at 6 or 12 wks in the placebo group. Thus, the GH+IGF-I dose used in this study in adult HIV+ males was ineffective in producing a sustained anabolic response but there was significant loss of body fat.