Adipose Tissue and Serum Inflammation in GH Deficiency

This study will examine adipose tissue inflammation and adipokine expression and serum markers of inflammation and adipokine levels in patients with growth hormone (GH) deficiency before and after treatment.

The GH axis has important influences on adipose tissue. Preliminary data from the investigators' study in acromegaly, a state of GH excess, suggests that GH reduces adipose tissue (AT) mass and serum inflammation. However, GH seems to reduce macrophage markers in adipose tissue yet increase adipocyte inflammation. This novel dissociation of macrophage and adipocyte inflammation is hypothesized to be due to GH. In order to examine this hypothesis further this study will examine adipose tissue and serum inflammation in patients with GH deficiency before and after GH therapy. The investigators will obtain subcutaneous adipose tissue by biopsy in patients with active GH deficiency planning to undergo therapy for GH deficiency. Concurrently serum samples will be taken for analysis of levels of inflammatory markers and adipokines. After treatment for 12 months with a normal levels of Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a marker of GH deficiency, patients will have a repeat adipose tissue biopsy. Adipose tissue parameters will be analyzed in each specimen and then compared to each patient over time as well as to body mass index (BMI)-matched control subjects.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion criteria:

1. Males or females age ≥18 years with diagnosis of GH deficiency that is Adult Onset, either alone or associated with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies and due to pituitary disease,hypothalamic disease, surgery, radiation therapy or Childhood Onset due to congenital, genetic, acquired, or idiopathic causes.
2. Diagnosis of GH deficiency defined by: insulin tolerance test or glucagon test: peak growth hormone response \< 3 ng/ml or 3 or more pituitary hormone deficiencies and IGF-1 standard deviation score \< -2.0
3. No history of diabetes mellitus and fasting blood sugar at screening visit ≤ 120 mg/dl.
4. If patients have undergone surgical resection of a pituitary adenoma, a minimum of 12 months must have elapsed post surgery prior to enrollment and tumor will be demonstrated to be unchanged for 12 months or longer since surgery.
5. May have a history of radiotherapy, but they must have completed their course of radiotherapy more than 3 months prior to study screening.
6. If prior GH therapy must have not received prior growth hormone replacement therapy in 310 the 6 months prior to screening.
7. Stable pituitary hormone supplements (x 3 months) prior to baseline visit and normal levels of free thyroxine, testosterone in males and normal adrenal function if not on replacement therapy.
8. If female, a. Not pregnant (as evidenced by a negative serum pregnancy test) or lactating and b. If of childbearing potential, agrees to use a medically acceptable form of contraception (such as oral, implantable, or barrier contraception) from the time of screening, for the duration of the study, and for at least one month after study discontinuation or completion. Childbearing potential is defined as women who are not surgically sterile or not at least one year postmenopausal.
9. Sign and date an informed consent document indicating that the subject (or legally acceptable representative) has been informed of and agrees to all pertinent aspects of the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Have other conditions that may result in abnormal GH and/or IGF-I concentrations (e.g., severe hepatic disease, severe renal disease, malnutrition, treatment with levodopa).
2. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) ≥ 2 x upper limit of normal or clinically significant hepatic disease or renal impairment defined as creatinine \> 1.5x upper normal.
3. Have a pituitary adenoma with a distance to the optic chiasm of 5 mm or less, confirmed by a recent MRI scan (within two months prior to the screening visit).
4. Pituitary tumor growth within the 12 months prior to study entry.
5. GH therapy within 6 months of screening.
6. Diabetes mellitus.
7. History of acromegaly.
8. History of active Cushing's disease within 24 months of screening
9. Visual field defects or other neurological symptoms due to current tumor mass compression.
10. Have known or suspected drug or alcohol abuse.
11. Have received an investigational medication within four weeks prior to Screening or is scheduled to receive any investigational medication during the study.
12. Do not have the ability to fully comprehend the nature of the study, to follow instructions, cooperate with study procedures, and/or are unable to adhere to the visit scheduled outlined in the protocol.
13. Have other severe acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory abnormality that may increase the risk associated with study participation or study drug administration or may interfere with the interpretation of study results and, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the subject inappropriate for entry into this study.
14. History of a malignancy other than squamous or basal cell skin carcinoma that has been excised or intracranial malignant tumors or leukemia within 5 years of screening.
15. Patients who have a known hypersensitivity to growth hormone therapy
16. Use of weight 349 loss medications
17. Females who plan to change estrogen therapy during the trial
18. Patients who have received supraphysiologic doses of glucocorticoids within the past 6 months (except for peri-operative (\< 3 days duration) of dexamethasone), or who are currently receiving any chemotherapeutic agents.
19. Patients who have received other investigational drugs administered or received within 30 days of study entry