Growth velocity and serum aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen in precocious puberty during gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue treatment

Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist monotherapy and combination therapy with growth hormone on final adult height in girls with central precocious puberty

This study aimed to compare clinical parameters, including final adult height (FAH), in girls with central precocious puberty treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) with and without growth hormone (GH). This retrospective study reviewed data of 210 girls with precocious puberty who had reached FAH in a long-term trial of GnRHa treatment. The subjects were divided into the GnRHa treatment group (n = 188), and the combined GnRHa + GH treatment group (n = 22). Chronological age, bone age, height, height standard deviation score, predicted adult height (PAH), FAH, Tanner stage, and hormone levels were assessed during the treatment period. At the start of treatment, PAH was 156.35 ± 6.34 cm in the GnRHa monotherapy group and 150.41 ± 5.32 cm in the GnRHa + GH group (P < 0.001). At the end of treatment, PAH was 166.25 ± 5.26 cm in the GnRHa group and 164.07 ± 4.99 cm in the combined GnRHa + GH treatment group, which had increased compared to the start of treatment. The FAH in the GnRHa group and GnRHa + GH combination group were 161.07 ± 4.78 cm and 159.63 ± 3.8 6 cm, respectively, without significant difference. In addition, the height gain (FAH-PAH) was significantly higher in the GnRHa + GH group than the GnRHa group (9.22 ± 6.03 cm vs. 4.72 ± 5.01 cm, P < 0.001). In girls with central precocious puberty, the height gain in the FAH compared to PAH at the start of treatment was significantly higher with the GnRHa + GH combination treatment.

Long-Term Outcomes of Treatments for Central Precocious Puberty or Early and Fast Puberty in Chinese Girls

CONTEXT

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHa) and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) have been widely used to treat idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) or early and fast puberty (EFP). However, large-scale studies to evaluate the treatment effects on final adult height (FAH) are still lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of long-term treatment for CPP/EFP on FAH and its main influencing factors.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective, multicenter observational study from 1998 to 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

Four hundred forty-eight Chinese girls with CPP/EFP received GnRHa and rhGH treatment (n = 118), GnRHa alone (n = 276), or no treatment (n = 54).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

FAH, target height (Tht), and predictive adult height (PAH).

RESULTS

The height gain (FAH-PAH) was significantly different among the GnRHa and rhGH treatment, GnRHa alone, and no treatment groups (P < 0.05; 9.51 ± 0.53, 8.07 ± 0.37, and 6.44 ± 0.91 cm, respectively). The genetic height gain (FAH-Tht) was 4.0 ± 0.5 cm for the GnRHa + rhGH group and 2.0 ± 0.27 cm for the GnRHa group, while the control group reached their Tht. In addition, 5 critical parameters derived from PAH, bone age, and Tht, showed excellent performance in predicting which patients could gain ≥5 cm (FAH-PAH), and this was further validated using an independent study.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall beneficial effect of GnRHa + rhGH or GnRHa on FAH was significant. The control group also reached their genetic target height. Clinicians are recommended to consider both the potential gains in height and the cost of medication.

The alteration of IGF-1 levels and relationship between IGF-1 levels and growth velocity during GnRH analogue therapy

Background Some studies have examined the effect of gonadal suppression on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels and the growth velocity (GV) with conflicting results. Methods Forty-four girls treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) for central precocious puberty (CPP) were included in the study. IGF-1 levels were examined at the beginning and after 12 months of treatment. Results IGF-1 and IGF-1 standard deviation score (SDS) according to chronological age (CA-IGF-1 SDS) at diagnosis were positively correlated with chronological age (CA), anthropometric measurements, stage of puberty, bone age (BA), BA-CA, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), oestradiol, uterus length, endometrium thickness and ovarian volume (OV) at diagnosis (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in IGF-1 levels after treatment. However, there was a negative correlation between ΔIGF-1 SDS and IGF-1 level, CA-IGF-1 SDS and BA-IGF-1 SDS at diagnosis (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between GV and IGF-1, ΔIGF-1. GV was negatively correlated with basal LH level at diagnosis (p = 0.008, r = -0.397). Peak LH levels of the patients who had GV-SDS < 0 were more suppressive than those of the patients who had GV-SDS > 0 after 12 months of treatment. Conclusions It was determined that the IGF-1 level and CA-IGF-1 SDS at baseline were correlated with more advanced pubertal stage prior to treatment. Initiation of treatment with a relatively high level of IGF-1 increased the risk of a decrease in the IGF-1 level. Likewise, the initiation of treatment with a relatively high LH level may increase the risk of low GV, but low GV was not related to the IGF-1 level. Increased sex steroid suppression may increase the risk of low GV.

COMPARATIVE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF THREE CURRENT CLINICAL TREATMENTS FOR GIRLS WITH CENTRAL PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY: A NETWORK META-ANALYSIS

Objective: The optimal treatment for girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) is unknown. We conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of existing treatments to provide credible clinical guidelines. Methods: We compared gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) therapy, GnRHa plus growth hormone (GH) combination therapy, and no-treatment therapy for girls with CPP by performing an electronic search for studies in PubMed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases, and Wanfang Data from their inception until September 30, 2018. Six outcomes, including bone maturation ratio, final height, final height compared with target height, growth velocity, height gain, and gain in predicted adult height (ΔPAH), were expressed as the mean difference with 95% confidence interval. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value illustrated the rank probability of each treatment under different outcomes. Results: Twenty-two studies with 1,268 patients were included. GnRHa plus GH had the best performance on final height, final height compared with target height, growth velocity, height gain, and ΔPAH, with the highest SUCRA values of 0.919, 0.975, 0.909, 0.999, and 0.957, respectively. For bone maturation ratio, GnRHa ranked the highest, with a SUCRA value of 0.663. No severe adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: For girls with CPP, GnRHa plus GH had the highest probability of being the optimal therapy for improving final height, and no severe adverse effects were reported. Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index; CI = confidence interval; CPP = central precocious puberty; GH = growth hormone; GnRHa = gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue; HPG = hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal; LH = luteinizing hormone; NMA = network meta-analysis; PAH = predicted adult height; PCOS = polycystic ovary syndrome; RCT = randomized controlled trial; SUCRA = surface under the cumulative ranking curve.

Subnormal Growth Velocity and Related Factors During GnRH Analog Therapy for Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty

OBJECTIVE

Data concerning subnormal growth velocity (GV) and factors that influence this during gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) therapy for idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) are scarce. We investigated the incidence of subnormal GV and associated factors in patients receiving GnRHa therapy for ICPP.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, the records of 50 girls who had been diagnosed with ICPP and started on GnRHa treatment before the age of eight years were investigated. Subnormal GV frequency, related factors during GnRHa therapy and the effect on final height were examined.

RESULTS

During the treatment, a significant decrease in the annual GV and GV standard deviation score (SDS) of the patients was observed. In 16 (32%) patients GV never declined below -1 SDS, while a decline was noted once and twice in 19 (38%) and 15 (30%) patients respectively. The median age of detection of subnormal GV was 9.9 (4.9-10.9) years. Patients with pubic hair at diagnosis were found to have an increased risk of subnormal GV (p=0.016). There was a significant negative correlation between diagnostic basal luteinizing hormone (LH) level and the first and second year GV SDS (p=0.012 and 0.017 respectively). A significant negative correlation between bone age at diagnosis and 3^rd year GV SDS, and 4^th year GV SDS (p=0.002 and p=0.038) was also observed. LH suppression significantly increased during treatment (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

In girls with ICPP the risk of subnormal GV appears highest at the 3^rd year of GnRHa treatment, particularly in those patients with, at the time of diagnosis, pubic hair in conjunction with high baseline and peak LH and advanced BA and excessive LH suppression on follow-up.

Intracerebroventricular injection of RFRP-3 delays puberty onset and stimulates growth hormone secretion in female rats

BACKGROUND

Puberty onset is a complex, organized biological process with multilevel regulation, and its physiopathological mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. RFRP-3, the mammalian ortholog to gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone, is implicated in inhibiting the synthesis and release of gonadotropin in mammals. However, it is unclear whether RFRP-3 participates in regulating pubertal development.

METHODS

This study investigated the functional significance and regulatory mechanism of hypothalamic RFRP-3 neuropeptide in the onset of puberty in young female rats. On postnatal day 22, we implanted cannulas into the lateral ventricles of female rat pups. From postnatal day 28 to postnatal day 36, the intracerebroventricular injection of RFRP-3, or vehicle, was conducted twice a day. To investigate whether puberty onset was affected, we examined the body weight, age of vaginal opening, serum hormone levels, uterus and ovary development, and hypothalamic Kiss-1 mRNA expression.

RESULTS

Intracerebroventricular injection of RFRP-3 significantly decreased the serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone and estradiol, delayed uterine maturation, and postponed the time of vaginal opening. This study suggests that RFRP-3 can delay the onset of puberty in young female rats; the expression of Kiss-1 mRNA is potently inhibited in the RFRP-3 group. Moreover, our data show that RFRP-3 elevates serum growth hormone levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that intracerebroventricular injection of RFRP-3 significantly delays the onset of puberty in female rats. Additionally, RFRP-3 may be associated with prepubertal rise in the secretion of growth hormone.

Effects and safety of combination therapy with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue and growth hormone in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This meta-analysis is to evaluate the effects and safety of the combination therapy for girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP).

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) that adopted gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) therapy and GnRHa plus growth hormone (GH) combination therapy to treat ICPP girls.

RESULTS

A total of six RCTs (162 patients) and six CCTs (247 patients) were included. Compared to the GnRHa therapy group, the combination therapy group achieved taller final height (mean difference, MD = 2.81 cm, 95 % CI 1.76-3.87, four CCTs; MD = 4.30 cm, 95 % CI 0.59-8.01, one RCT); greater progression of final height compared with target height (MD = 3.92 cm, 95 % CI 3.12-4.73, four CCTs; MD = 4.00 cm, 95 % CI 1.93-6.07, One RCT) and larger height gains (MD = 3.49 cm, 95 % CI 0.97-6.01, four CCTs; MD = 3.88 cm, 95 % CI 0.15-7.61, one RCT). No severe adverse effects of treatment were reported.

CONCLUSION

For ICPP girls, the GnRHa and GH combination therapy had advantages over GnRHa alone on final height and no severe adverse effects were reported. We recommend comprehensive assessment of the individual growth rate, patient compliance, the clinical effects, the height expectations of individual patients and the treatment cost to the family in order to identify the best therapy for individual patients.

The Efficacy of GnRHa Alone or in Combination with rhGH for the Treatment of Chinese Children with Central Precocious Puberty

The addition of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) to GnRH agonist (GnRHa) to treat central precocious puberty (CPP) is controversial. We systemically reviewed and evaluated the efficacy and safety of the rhGH and GnRHa adjunctive therapy in Chinese children with CPP and assessed the influence of age and therapy duration on the efficacy of the combined treatment. A total of 464 patients were included from 14 studies. Compared with baseline, administration of GnRHa plus rhGH led to a significant increase in height, predicted adult height (PAH) and height standard deviation for bone age (HtSDS-BA), corresponding to a weighted mean difference (WMD) (95%CI) of 9.06 cm (6.41, 11.70), 6.5 cm (4.47, 8.52), and 0.86 (0.58, 1.14) respectively. Subgroup analysis showed the combined therapy had increased efficacy in subjects with initial treatment age younger than 10 years old or with treatment lasting over 12 months. Compared with GnRHa alone treatment, the combined treatment led to a significant increase in height, PAH and HtSDS-BA, corresponding to a WMD (95% CI) of 3.56 cm (2.54, 4.57), 3.76 cm (3.19, 4.34) and 0.56 (0.43, 0.69). The combined treatment exhibited no safety concerns. Our findings may aid clinicians in making treatment decisions for children with CPP.

Reduced levels of GH during GnRH analogue treatment in pubertal short girls born small for gestational age (SGA)

CONTEXT

Several studies showed a decrease in height velocity during GnRH analogue (GnRHa) treatment. No information is available on GH levels during GnRHa treatment in short SGA girls.

OBJECTIVE

To study overnight GH profiles and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in girls with Tanner stage 2 and stage 3, before and after 3 months of GnRHa treatment, and to compare levels with those found in prepubertal short SGA girls.

PATIENTS

Twenty-four pubertal and 16 prepubertal short SGA girls.

INTERVENTION

After baseline overnight GH profiles, pubertal girls received leuprorelide acetate depots of 3.75 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks.

OUTCOME MEASURES

GH, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels.

RESULTS

At baseline, GH levels were comparable to levels found in prepubertal short SGA girls and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 SDS were significantly below the population mean. After 3 months of GnRHa treatment, AUC(0) (P = 0.02), mean (P = 0.02) and maximum GH levels (P = 0.008) had significantly decreased. Mean GH levels were significantly lower than in prepubertal short SGA girls (P = 0.03). Eight girls with more than 40% decrease in mean GH levels also had a significantly greater decrease in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels. Mean and maximum GH levels at baseline correlated significantly with those after 3 months of GnRHa treatment.

CONCLUSION

Short SGA girls lack the normal increase in GH levels seen in puberty and have reduced IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, which might explain their reduced pubertal growth spurt. GnRHa treatment led to a significant reduction in GH levels. Therefore, combining GnRHa treatment with GH treatment might improve adult height of short SGA girls.

Three-month sustained-release triptorelin (11.25 mg) in the treatment of central precocious puberty

OBJECTIVE

Depot GnRH agonists are commonly used in the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP). The triptorelin 11.25 mg 3-month depot, currently used in adult indications, had not previously been evaluated in CPP.

DESIGN

This was a multicenter, open-label, 12 month trial conducted in 64 CPP children (54 girls and 10 boys), treated quarterly.

METHODS

Children with a clinical onset of pubertal development before the age of 8 years (girls) or 9 years (boys), pubertal response of LH to GnRH > or = 7 IU/l, advanced bone age > 1 year, enlarged uterus (> or = 36 mm) and testosterone level > or = 0.5 ng/ml (boys), were included. Suppression of gonadotropic activation, as determined from serum LH, FSH, estradiol or testosterone, and pubertal signs were assessed at Months 3, 6 and 12.

RESULTS

GnRH-stimulated peak LH < or = 3 IU/l, the main efficacy criterion, was met in 53 out of 62 (85%), 60 out of 62 (97%) and 56 out of 59 (95%) of the children at Months 3, 6 and 12 respectively. Serum FSH and sex steroids were also significantly reduced, while pubertal development regressed in most patients. Mean residual triptorelin levels were stable from Month 3 through to Month 12. The triptorelin 3-month depot was well tolerated. Severe injection pain was experienced in only one instance. Five girls experienced mild-to-moderate or severe (one girl) withdrawal bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

The triptorelin 3-month depot efficiently suppresses the pituitary-gonadal axis and pubertal development in children with CPP. This formulation allows a 3-fold reduction, over the once-a-month depot, in the number of i.m. injections required each year.

Combined therapy with GnRH analog plus growth hormone in central precocious puberty

GnRH analogues (GnRHa) arrest pubertal development, and slow growth velocity (GV) and bone maturation, thus improving adult height in central precocious puberty (CPP). In some patients, however, GV decreases to such an extent that it compromises the improvement in predicted adult height (PAH) and therefore the addition of GH is suggested. Of 20 patients with idiopathic CPP (treated with GnRHa [depot-triptorelin] at a dose of 100 microg/kg every 21 days i.m. for at least 2-3 yr) whose GV fell below the 25th percentile for chronological age (CA), ten received, in addition to the GnRHa, GH at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg/wk, s.c. 6 days weekly, for 2-4 yr. Ten patients matched for BA, CA, and duration of GnRHa treatment who showed the same growth pattern but refused GH treatment, served to evaluate the efficacy of the addition of GH. No patient showed classical GH deficiency. Both groups discontinued treatment at a comparable BA (mean +/- SEM): 13.2 +/- 0.2 yr in GnRHa + GH vs 13.0 +/- 0.1 yr in the control group. At the conclusion of the study all the patients had achieved adult height. Adult height was considered to be attained when the growth during the preceding year was less than 1 cm, with a BA of over 15 yr. Patients of the group treated with GH + GnRHa showed an adult height significantly higher (p<0.001) than pretreatment PAH (160.6 +/- 1.3 vs 152.7 +/- 1.7 cm). Height SDS for BA significantly increased from -1.5 +/- 0.2 at start of GnRHa to -0.21 +/- 0.2 at adult height (p<0.001). Target height was significantly exceeded. The GnRH alone treated group reached an adult height not significantly higher than pretreatment PAH (157.1 +/- 2.5 vs 155.5 +/- 1.9 cm). Height SDS for BA did not change (from -1.0 +/- 0.3 at start of GnRHa to -0.7 +/- 0.4 at adult height). Target height was just reached but not significantly exceeded. The gain in centimeters obtained calculated between pretreatment PAH and final height was 7.9 +/- 1.1 cm in patients treated with GH combined with GnRH analogue while in patients treated with GnRH analogue alone the gain was just 1.6 cm +/- 1.2 (p=0.001). Furthermore, no side effects, bone age progression, or ovarian cysts, were observed in GnRHa + GH treated patients. In conclusion, a gain of 7.9 cm in adult height represents a significant improvement which justifies the addition of GH for 2-3 yr to conventional treatment with GnRH analogues in patients with central precocious puberty, and with a decrease in growth velocity so marked as to impair predicted adult height to below the third percentile.

Adult height in girls with central precocious puberty treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues and growth hormone

GnRH analogues (GnRHa) represent the treatment of choice in central precocious puberty (CPP), because arresting pubertal development and reducing either growth velocity (GV) or bone maturation (BA) should improve adult height. However, in some patients, GV decrease is so remarkable that it impairs predicted adult height (PAH); and therefore, the addition of GH is suggested. Out of twenty subjects with idiopathic CPP (treated with GnRHa depot-triptorelin, at a dose of 100 microg/kg im every 21 days, for at least 2-3 yr), whose GV fall below the 25th percentile for chronological age, 10 received, in addition to GnRHa, GH at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg x week s.c., 6 days weekly, for 2-4 yr; and 10 matched for BA, chronological age, and duration of GnRHa treatment, who showed the same growth pattern but refused GH treatment, served to evaluate the efficacy of GH addition. No patient showed classical GH deficiency. Both groups discontinued treatment at a comparable BA (mean +/- SEM): 13.2 +/- 0.2 in GnRHa plus GH vs. 13.0 +/- 0.1 yr in the control group. At the conclusion of the study, all the patients had achieved adult height. Adult height was considered to be attained when the growth during the preceding year was less than 1 cm, with a BA of over 15 yr. Patients of the group treated with GH plus GnRHa showed an adult height significantly higher (P < 0.001) than pretreatment PAH (160.6 +/- 1.3 vs. 152.7 +/- 1.7 cm). Target height (TH) was significantly exceeded. The group treated with GnRH alone reached an adult height not significantly higher than pretreatment PAH (157.1 +/- 2.5 vs. 155.5 +/- 1.9 cm). TH was just reached but not significantly exceeded. The gain in centimeters obtained, calculated between pretreatment PAH and final height, was 7.9 +/- 1.1 cm in patients treated with GH combined with GnRHa; whereas in patients treated with GnRHa alone, the gain was just 1.6 +/- 1.2 cm (P = 0.001). Furthermore, no side effects have been observed either on bone age progression or ovarian cyst appearance and the gynecological follow-up in the GH-treated patients (in comparison with those treated with GnRHa alone). In conclusion, a gain of 7.9 cm in adult height represents a significant improvement, which justifies the addition of GH for 2-3 yr during the conventional treatment with GnRHa, especially in patients with CPP, and a decrease in GV so marked as to impair PAH, not allowing it to reach even the third centile.

New aspects in the diagnosis and treatment of pubertal disorders

Recent developments in biochemistry, genetics, and clinical research have produced a profound effect on the understanding of normal and abnormal puberty. This article is intended to point out selected new developments that affect the understanding of puberty and clinical practice in disorders of puberty.

Effect of combined treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue and growth hormone in patients with central precocious puberty who had subnormal growth velocity and impaired height prognosis

Growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-I status and response to growth hormone therapy (0.6 IU/kg/week sc, six times a week for 12 months) were evaluated in 12 girls (chronological age 9.4 +/- 1.6 years) suffering from central precocious puberty with growth velocity less than 4 cm/year and no substantial increase or decrease in predicted adult height during gonadotropin releasing hormone Bn-RH) analogue treatment (D-Trp6-LH-RH, 60 micrograms/kg im/28 days). At baseline, large variations were observed in nocturnal growth hormone (GH) means (pathological values stimulated levodopa GH peaks (pathological values (< 10.0 micrograms/l) 28.6%) and serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels. Neither GH-nor IGF-I levels were correlated with growth velocity. During recombinant GH therapy, growth velocity increased significantly (baseline 3.0 +/- 0.9 cm/year; 6 months 6.4 +/- 1.9 cm/year, p < 0.001 versus baseline; 12 months 6.0 +/- 1.3 cm/year, p < 0.0001 versus baseline). There was a significant increase in height SDS for bone age (baseline -1.6 +/- 0.5 SDS; 12 months -1.04 +/- 0.6 SDS; p < 0.002) and in predicted adult height (baseline 152.0 +/- 3.6 cm; 12 months 155.9 +/- 3.4 cm; p < 0.002). Our results suggest that combined therapy with Gn-RH analogues and recombinant GH can improve growth velocity and predicted adult height in girls with central precocious puberty and impaired height prognosis during Gn-RH analogue treatment.

Reduction of bone density: an effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue treatment in central precocious puberty

Gonadal steroids drive the significant bone mineral increase that occurs at puberty. Oestrogen deprivation in women results in bone loss. We investigated bone mineralization by single photon absorptiometry in girls with central precocious puberty (n = 13, age 3.8-8.5 years) before and during 1 year of treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a = long-acting D-Trp6-GnRH, 60 micrograms i.m. every 28 days). Before GnRH-a therapy, bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly higher in patients than in ten control girls matched for chronological age (patients 0.575 +/- 0.097 g/cm2, controls 0.433 +/- 0.049 g/cm2, P < 0.001). Patient BMD was not significantly different from that of ten control girls matched according to patient bone, age (0.550 +/- 0.046 g/cm2, P = NS). During GnRH-a treatment, pituitary-gonadal axis was suppressed and patient BMD significantly decreased (6 months: -6.0%, P < 0.002 vs baseline; 12 months: -8.0%, P < 0.001 vs baseline). We conclude that in girls with precocious puberty the activation of gonadal steroid secretion induces an increase in bone mineralization and that oestrogen deprivation by GnRH-a treatment caused a significant decrease in BMD.