ESE Clinical Practice Guideline on functioning and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas in pregnancy

Pregnancies are rare in women with pituitary adenomas, which may relate to hormone excess from secretory subtypes such as prolactinomas or corticotroph adenomas. Decreased fertility may also result from pituitary hormone deficiencies due to compression of the gland by large tumours and/or surgical or radiation treatment of the lesion. Counselling premenopausal women with pituitary adenomas about their chance of conceiving spontaneously or with assisted reproductive technology, and the optimal pre-conception treatment, should start at the time of initial diagnosis. The normal physiological changes during pregnancy need to be considered when interpreting endocrine tests in women with pituitary adenomas. Dose adjustments in hormone substitution therapies may be needed across the trimesters. When medical therapy is used for pituitary hormone excess, consideration should be given to the known efficacy and safety data specific to pregnant women for each therapeutic option. In healthy women, pituitary gland size increases during pregnancy. Since some pituitary adenomas also enlarge during pregnancy, there is a risk of visual impairment, especially in women with macroadenomas or tumours near the optic chiasm. Pituitary apoplexy represents a rare acute complication of adenomas requiring surveillance, with surgical intervention needed in some cases. This guideline describes the choice and timing of diagnostic tests and treatments from the pre-conception stage until after delivery, taking into account adenoma size, location and endocrine activity. In most cases, pregnant women with pituitary adenomas should be managed by a multidisciplinary team in a centre specialised in the treatment of such tumours.

Current management of Cushing's disease

Cushing's disease (CD) is caused by a pituitary tumour that secretes adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) autonomously, leading to excess cortisol secretion from the adrenal glands. The condition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality that can be mitigated by treatments that result in sustained endocrine remission. Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery (TSS) remains the mainstay of treatment for CD but requires considerable neurosurgical expertise and experience in order to optimize patient outcomes. Up to 90% of patients with microadenomas (tumour below 1 cm in largest diameter) and 65% of patients with macroadenomas (tumour at or above 1 cm in greatest diameter) achieve endocrine remission after TSS by an experienced surgeon. Patients who are not in remission postoperatively or those who relapse may benefit from undergoing a second pituitary operation. Alternatively, radiation therapy to the sella with interim medical therapy, or bilateral adrenalectomy, can be effective as definitive treatments of CD. Medical therapy is currently adjunctive in most patients with CD and is generally prescribed to patients who are about to receive radiation therapy and will be awaiting its salutary effects to occur. Available treatment options include steroidogenesis inhibitors, centrally acting agents and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists. Several novel agents are in clinical trials and may eventually constitute additional treatment options for this serious condition.

Long-term treatment of Cushing's disease with pasireotide: 5-year results from an open-label extension study of a Phase III trial

BACKGROUND

Treating hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing's disease after failed surgery often requires chronic medication, underlining the need for therapies with favourable long-term efficacy and safety profiles.

METHODS

In a randomised, double-blind study, 162 adult patients with persistent/recurrent or de novo Cushing's disease received pasireotide. Patients with mean urinary free cortisol at/below the upper limit of normal or clinical benefit at month 12 could continue receiving pasireotide during an open-ended, open-label phase, the outcomes of which are described herein.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients received 5 years of pasireotide treatment. Among these, median (95% confidence interval) percentage change from baseline in mean urinary free cortisol was -82.6% (-89.0, -41.9) and -81.8% (-89.8, -67.4) at months 12 and 60. Eleven patients had mean urinary free cortisol ≤ upper limit of normal at month 60. Improvements in clinical signs were sustained during long-term treatment. The safety profile of pasireotide at 5 years was similar to that reported after 12 months. Fifteen of 16 patients experienced a hyperglycaemia-related adverse event; glycated haemoglobin levels were stable between months 6 and 60. Adverse events related to hyperglycaemia, bradycardia, gallbladder/biliary tract, and liver safety were most likely to first occur by month 6; adverse event severity did not tend to worsen over time.

CONCLUSIONS

This represents the longest prospective trial of a medical therapy for Cushing's disease to date. A subset of patients treated with pasireotide maintained biochemical and clinical improvements for 5 years, with no new safety signals emerging. These data support the use of pasireotide as an effective long-term therapy for some patients with Cushing's disease.

GH safety workshop position paper: a critical appraisal of recombinant human GH therapy in children and adults

Recombinant human GH (rhGH) has been in use for 30 years, and over that time its safety and efficacy in children and adults has been subject to considerable scrutiny. In 2001, a statement from the GH Research Society (GRS) concluded that 'for approved indications, GH is safe'; however, the statement highlighted a number of areas for on-going surveillance of long-term safety, including cancer risk, impact on glucose homeostasis, and use of high dose pharmacological rhGH treatment. Over the intervening years, there have been a number of publications addressing the safety of rhGH with regard to mortality, cancer and cardiovascular risk, and the need for long-term surveillance of the increasing number of adults who were treated with rhGH in childhood. Against this backdrop of interest in safety, the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE), the GRS, and the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) convened a meeting to reappraise the safety of rhGH. The ouput of the meeting is a concise position statement.

Extended treatment of Cushing's disease with pasireotide: results from a 2-year, Phase II study

In a previous 15-day, Phase II study of patients with de novo or persistent/recurrent Cushing's disease (core study), treatment with pasireotide 600 μg sc bid reduced urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels in 76% of patients and normalized UFC in 17%. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extended treatment with pasireotide. This was a planned, open-ended, single-arm, multicenter extension study (primary endpoint: 6 months). Patients aged ≥18 years with Cushing's disease who completed the core study could enter the extension if they achieved UFC normalization at core study end and/or obtained significant clinical benefit. Of the 38 patients who completed the core study, 19 entered the extension and 18 were included in the efficacy analyses (three responders, 11 reducers, four non-reducers in the core study). At data cut-off, median treatment duration in the extension was 9.7 months (range: 2 months to 4.8 years). At extension month 6, 56% of the 18 patients had lower UFC than at core baseline and 22% had normalized UFC. Of the four patients who remained on study drug at month 24, one had normalized UFC. Reductions in serum cortisol, plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone, body weight and diastolic blood pressure were observed. The most common adverse events were mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal disorders and hyperglycemia. Pasireotide offers a tumor-directed medical therapy that may be effective for the extended treatment of some patients with Cushing's disease.

High variability in baseline urinary free cortisol values in patients with Cushing's disease

OBJECTIVE

Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) sampling is commonly used to evaluate Cushing's syndrome. Because there are few data on UFC variability in patients with active Cushing's disease, we analysed baseline UFC in a large patient cohort with moderate-to-severe Cushing's disease and assessed whether variability correlates with hypercortisolism severity. These data will help clinicians establish the minimum number of UFC samples required to obtain reliable data.

DESIGN

Observational study (enrolment phase of Phase III study).

METHODS

Patients (n = 152) with persistent/recurrent or de novo Cushing's disease and mean UFC (mUFC) ≥1·5×ULN (normal: 30-145 nmol/24 h) were included. Mean UFC level was calculated from four 24-h urine samples collected over 2 weeks.

RESULTS

Over 600 24-h UFC samples were analysed. The mUFC levels of samples 1 and 2 and samples 3 and 4 were 1000 nmol/24 h (SD 1872) and 940 nmol/24 h (SD 2148), respectively; intrapatient coefficient of variation (CV) was 38% for mUFC. The intrapatient CV using all four samples was 52% (95% CI: 48-56). The intrapatient CV was 51% (95% CI: 44-58) for samples 1 and 2, 49% (95% CI: 43-56) for samples 3 and 4 and 54% (95% CI: 49-59) for samples 1, 2 and 3. Variability in mUFC increased as UFC levels increased. There were no correlations between UFC and clinical features of hypercortisolism.

CONCLUSIONS

There is intrapatient variability of approximately 50% in 24-h UFC measurements, which is relevant to targets set to estimate any treatment effect. Analysing more than two 24-h collection periods in individual patients does not result in a relevant decrease in variability. Interestingly, UFC levels did not correlate with hypercortisolism severity.

Macimorelin (AEZS-130)-stimulated growth hormone (GH) test: validation of a novel oral stimulation test for the diagnosis of adult GH deficiency

CONTEXT

In the absence of panhypopituitarism and low serum IGF-I levels, the diagnosis of adult GH deficiency (AGHD) requires confirmation with a GH stimulation test. Macimorelin is a novel, orally active ghrelin mimetic that stimulates GH secretion.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine the diagnostic efficacy and safety of macimorelin in AGHD.

DESIGN

This was a multicenter open-label study comparing the diagnostic accuracy of oral macimorelin with that of arginine+GHRH in AGHD patients and healthy, matched controls. After 43 AGHD patients and 10 controls were tested, the GHRH analog Geref Diagnostic [GHRH(1-29)NH2] became unavailable in the United States. The study was completed by testing 10 additional AGHD patients and 38 controls with macimorelin alone.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Peak GH area under the receiver operating characteristic curve after macimorelin was measured.

RESULTS

Fifty AGHD subjects and 48 controls were evaluated. Peak GH levels in AGHD patients and controls after macimorelin were 2.36 ± 5.69 and 17.71 ± 19.11 ng/mL, respectively (P < .0001). With macimorelin, the receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded an optimal GH cut point of 2.7 ng/mL, with 82% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and 13% misclassification rate. For subjects receiving both tests, macimorelin showed discrimination comparable with arginine+GHRH (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.99 vs 0.94, respectively, P = .29). Obesity (body mass index > 30 kg/m(2)) was present in 58% of subjects, and peak GH levels were inversely associated with body mass index in controls (r = -0.37, P = .01). Using the separate cut points of 6.8 ng/mL for nonobese and 2.7 for obese subjects reduced the misclassification rate to 11%. Only 1 drug-related serious adverse event, an asymptomatic QT interval prolongation on the electrocardiogram, was reported.

CONCLUSION

Oral macimorelin is safe, convenient, and effective in diagnosing AGHD with accuracy comparable with the arginine+GHRH test.

Effects of growth hormone deficiency on body composition and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk after definitive therapy for acromegaly

BACKGROUND

Both growth hormone (GH) excess and GH deficiency are associated with abnormalities in body composition and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in patients with pituitary disorders. However, the effects of developing GH deficiency after definitive treatment of acromegaly are largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether development of GH deficiency after definitive therapy for acromegaly is associated with increased visceral adiposity and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk compared with GH sufficiency after definitive therapy for acromegaly.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

PATIENTS

We studied three groups of subjects, all with a history of acromegaly (n = 76): subjects with subsequent GH deficiency (GHD; n = 31), subjects with subsequent GH sufficiency (GHS; n = 25) and subjects with active acromegaly (AA; n = 20). No study subjects were receiving somatostatin analogues, dopamine agonists or hGH.

MEASUREMENTS

Body composition (by DXA), abdominal adipose tissue depots (by cross-sectional CT), total body water (by bioimpedance analysis) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured. Fasting morning serum was collected for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipids and lipoprotein levels. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and homoeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated.

RESULTS

Abdominal visceral adipose tissue, total adipose tissue and total body fat were higher in subjects with GHD than GHS or AA (P < 0·05). Subcutaneous abdominal fat was higher, and fibrinogen and IMT were lower in GHD (but not GHS) than AA (P < 0·05). Patients with GHD had the highest hsCRP, followed by GHS, and hsCRP was lowest in AA (P < 0·05). Fasting glucose, 120-min glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and per cent total body water were lower in GHD and GHS than AA (P < 0·05). Triglycerides were higher in GHS than AA (P < 0·05). Lean body mass, mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were comparable among groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Development of GHD after definitive treatment of acromegaly may adversely affect body composition and inflammatory biomarkers of cardiovascular risk but does not appear to adversely affect glucose homoeostasis, lipids and lipoproteins, or other cardiovascular risk markers.

Improved cortisol exposure-time profile and outcome in patients with adrenal insufficiency: a prospective randomized trial of a novel hydrocortisone dual-release formulation

CONTEXT

Patients with treated adrenal insufficiency (AI) have increased morbidity and mortality rate. Our goal was to improve outcome by developing a once-daily (OD) oral hydrocortisone dual-release tablet with a more physiological exposure-time cortisol profile.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to compare pharmacokinetics and metabolic outcome between OD and the same daily dose of thrice-daily (TID) dose of conventional hydrocortisone tablets.

DESIGN AND SETTING

We conducted an open, randomized, two-period, 12-wk crossover multicenter trial with a 24-wk extension at five university hospital centers.

PATIENTS

The trial enrolled 64 adults with primary AI; 11 had concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM).

INTERVENTION

The same daily dose of hydrocortisone was administered as OD dual-release or TID.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

We evaluated cortisol pharmacokinetics.

RESULTS

Compared with conventional TID, OD provided a sustained serum cortisol profile 0-4 h after the morning intake and reduced the late afternoon and the 24-h cortisol exposure. The mean weight (difference = -0.7 kg, P = 0.005), systolic blood pressure (difference = -5.5 mm Hg, P = 0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (difference: -2.3 mm Hg; P = 0.03), and glycated hemoglobin (absolute difference = -0.1%, P = 0.0006) were all reduced after OD compared with TID at 12 wk. Compared with TID, a reduction in glycated hemoglobin by 0.6% was observed in patients with concomitant DM during OD (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The OD dual-release tablet provided a more circadian-based serum cortisol profile. Reduced body weight, reduced blood pressure, and improved glucose metabolism were observed during OD treatment. In particular, glucose metabolism improved in patients with concomitant DM.

Pasireotide (SOM230) demonstrates efficacy and safety in patients with acromegaly: a randomized, multicenter, phase II trial

CONTEXT

Pasireotide (SOM230) is a novel multireceptor ligand somatostatin analog with affinity for somatostatin receptor subtypes sst(1-3) and sst(5). Because most GH-secreting pituitary adenomas express sst(2) and sst(5), pasireotide has the potential to be more effective than the sst(2)-preferential somatostatin analogs octreotide and lanreotide.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of three different doses of pasireotide in patients with acromegaly.

DESIGN

We conducted a phase II, randomized, multicenter, open-label, three-way, crossover study.

PATIENTS

Sixty patients with acromegaly, defined by a 2-h five-point mean GH level higher than 5 microg/liter, lack of suppression of GH to less than 1 microg/liter after oral glucose tolerance test, and elevated IGF-I for age- and sex-matched controls. Patients could have had previous surgery, radiotherapy, and/or medical therapy or no previous treatment.

INTERVENTION

After treatment with octreotide 100 microg s.c. three times daily for 28 d, each patient received pasireotide 200, 400, and 600 microg s.c. twice daily in random order for 28 d.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

A biochemical response was defined as a reduction in GH to no more than 2.5 microg/liter and normalization of IGF-I to age- and sex-matched controls.

RESULTS

After 4 wk of octreotide, 9% of patients achieved a biochemical response. After 4 wk of pasireotide 200-600 microg s.c. bid, 19% of patients achieved a biochemical response, which increased to 27% after 3 months of pasireotide; 39% of patients had a more than 20% reduction in pituitary tumor volume. Pasireotide was generally well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Pasireotide is a promising treatment for acromegaly. Larger studies of longer duration evaluating the efficacy and safety of pasireotide in patients with acromegaly are ongoing.

Comparison of pegvisomant and long-acting octreotide in patients with acromegaly naïve to radiation and medical therapy

BACKGROUND

Normalization of IGF-I in patients with acromegaly is associated with a decrease in mortality. Pegvisomant may be more effective in lowering IGF-I than octreotide.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The efficacy and safety of pegvisomant and octreotide long-acting release (LAR) were compared in 118 patients with acromegaly in this 52-week, multicenter, open-label, randomized study. The primary endpoint was IGF-I normalization at week 52. Secondary endpoints included mean changes from baseline in IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3, acromegaly signs and symptom scores, ring size, acromegaly quality of life questionnaire scores, and safety.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients received pegvisomant and 57 received octreotide LAR. IGF-I normalized in 51% of pegvisomant patients and 34% treated with octreotide LAR (p=0.09, ns). Patients with baseline IGF-I > or = 2x upper limit of normal had a higher rate of IGF-I normalization with pegvisomant vs octreotide LAR (p=0.05). Among the patients who did not achieve a normalized IGF-I, pegvisomant-treated patients were more likely to be receiving < 30 mg of study drug (71% vs 16%). Treatment-related adverse events were mild-to-moderate in both groups. Mean fasting glucose decreased in diabetic and non-diabetic patients on pegvisomant whereas octreotide LAR was associated with an increase at week 52 (p=0.005 and p=0.003 between groups, respectively). Mean change in tumor volume during treatment was similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pegvisomant and octreotide LAR were equally effective in normalizing IGF-I in the overall population, and pegvisomant was more effective in patients with higher baseline IGF-I levels. Pegvisomant had a more favorable effect on parameters of glycemic control.

Treatment of pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease with the multireceptor ligand somatostatin analog pasireotide (SOM230): a multicenter, phase II trial

CONTEXT

There is currently no medical therapy for Cushing's disease that targets the pituitary adenoma. Availability of such a medical therapy would be a valuable therapeutic option for the management of this disorder.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of the novel multireceptor ligand somatostatin analog pasireotide in patients with de novo, persistent, or recurrent Cushing's disease.

DESIGN

We conducted a phase II, proof-of-concept, open-label, single-arm, 15-d multicenter study.

PATIENTS

Thirty-nine patients with either de novo Cushing's disease who were candidates for pituitary surgery or with persistent or recurrent Cushing's disease after surgery without having received prior pituitary irradiation.

INTERVENTION

Patients self-administered sc pasireotide 600 microg twice daily for 15 d.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Normalization of urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels after 15 d treatment was the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

Of the 29 patients in the primary efficacy analysis, 22 (76%) showed a reduction in UFC levels, of whom five (17%) had normal UFC levels (responders), after 15 d of treatment with pasireotide. Serum cortisol levels and plasma ACTH levels were also reduced. Steady-state plasma concentrations of pasireotide were achieved within 5 d of treatment. Responders appeared to have higher pasireotide exposure than nonresponders.

CONCLUSIONS

Pasireotide produced a decrease in UFC levels in 76% of patients with Cushing's disease during the treatment period of 15 d, with direct effects on ACTH release. These results suggest that pasireotide holds promise as an effective medical treatment for this disorder.

Treatment of adrenocorticotropin-dependent Cushing's syndrome: a consensus statement

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the published literature and reach a consensus on the treatment of patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome, because there is no recent consensus on the management of this rare disorder.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-two leading endocrinologists, clinicians, and neurosurgeons with specific expertise in the management of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome representing nine countries were chosen to address 1) criteria for cure and remission of this disorder, 2) surgical treatment of Cushing's disease, 3) therapeutic options in the event of persistent disease after transsphenoidal surgery, 4) medical therapy of Cushing's disease, and 5) management of ectopic ACTH syndrome, Nelson's syndrome, and special patient populations.

EVIDENCE

Participants presented published scientific data, which formed the basis of the recommendations. Opinion shared by a majority of experts was used where strong evidence was lacking.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

Participants met for 2 d, during which there were four chaired sessions of presentations, followed by general discussion where a consensus was reached. The consensus statement was prepared by a steering committee and was then reviewed by all authors, with suggestions incorporated if agreed upon by the majority.

CONCLUSIONS

ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder requiring a multidisciplinary and individualized approach to patient management. Generally, the treatment of choice for ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome is curative surgery with selective pituitary or ectopic corticotroph tumor resection. Second-line treatments include more radical surgery, radiation therapy (for Cushing's disease), medical therapy, and bilateral adrenalectomy. Because of the significant morbidity of Cushing's syndrome, early diagnosis and prompt therapy are warranted.

Effects of testosterone therapy on cardiovascular risk markers in androgen-deficient women with hypopituitarism

CONTEXT

Low-dose testosterone replacement therapy in women with relative androgen deficiency has been shown to have beneficial effects on body composition, bone mass, and psychosexual function. However, the safety of chronic testosterone administration on cardiovascular risk and insulin resistance is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of physiological testosterone replacement on cardiovascular risk markers and insulin resistance in women.

DESIGN

A 12-month, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted.

SETTING

A General Clinical Research Center was the setting for the study.

STUDY PARTICIPANTS

A total of 51 women of reproductive age with androgen deficiency due to hypopituitarism participated.

INTERVENTION

Study participants were randomized to physiological testosterone administration, 300 mug daily, or placebo, by patch.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We measured fasting glucose, fasting insulin, insulin-resistance homeostasis model of assessment (IRHOMA), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), leptin, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein A1, and homocysteine.

RESULTS

At 12 months, fasting insulin and IRHOMA were significantly lower in the testosterone compared with the placebo group, and there was a trend toward a higher QUICKI level at 12 months in the testosterone compared with the placebo group. These differences were no longer significant after controlling for baseline levels. We observed no effect, either positive or negative, of testosterone administration on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, VCAM leptin, lipoprotein (a), or apolipoprotein A1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that physiological testosterone replacement in women with hypopituitarism for 12 months does not increase, and may improve, insulin resistance. Chronic low-dose testosterone administration does not increase markers of cardiovascular disease reflecting several different mechanistic pathways. Large, randomized, placebo-controlled, long-term prospective studies are needed to determine whether low-dose testosterone replacement affects cardiovascular risk and event rates in women.

Effects of testosterone replacement in androgen-deficient women with hypopituitarism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

CONTEXT

Hypopituitarism in women is characterized by profound androgen deficiency due to a loss of adrenal and/or ovarian function. The effects of testosterone replacement in this population have not been reported.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine whether physiologic testosterone replacement improves bone density, body composition, and/or neurobehavioral function in women with severe androgen deficiency secondary to hypopituitarism.

DESIGN

This was a 12-month randomized, placebo-controlled study.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a general clinical research center.

STUDY PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-one women of reproductive age with androgen deficiency due to hypopituitarism participated.

INTERVENTION

Physiologic testosterone administration using a patch that delivers 300 microg daily or placebo was administered.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Bone density, fat-free mass, and fat mass were measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Thigh muscle and abdominal cross-sectional area were measured by computed tomography scan. Mood, sexual function, quality of life, and cognitive function were assessed using self-administered questionnaires.

RESULTS

Mean free testosterone increased into the normal range during testosterone administration. Mean hip (P = 0.023) and radius (P = 0.007), but not posteroanterior spine, bone mineral density increased in the group receiving testosterone, compared with placebo, as did mean fat-free mass (P = 0.040) and thigh muscle area (P = 0.038), but there was no change in fat mass. Mood (P = 0.029) and sexual function (P = 0.044) improved, as did some aspects of quality of life, but not cognitive function. Testosterone at physiologic replacement levels was well tolerated, with few side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to show a positive effect of testosterone on bone density, body composition, and neurobehavioral function in women with severe androgen deficiency due to hypopituitarism.

Truncal adiposity, relative growth hormone deficiency, and cardiovascular risk

We hypothesized that endogenous GH would be reduced in healthy women with relative truncal adiposity despite lack of generalized obesity and that decreased GH would be associated with increased cardiovascular risk markers. Fifteen healthy female volunteers were divided into two groups, low truncal fat and high truncal fat, of comparable body mass index (BMI). Age and BMI (23.7 +/- 2.1 vs. 25.8 +/- 2.8 kg/m(2)) were similar in the two groups. Trunk fat was higher in the high-truncal-fat group, as designed. Twenty-four-hour mean GH, amplitude, and basal GH concentration were 41, 32, and 36% lower, respectively, in the high-truncal-fat group, but GH pulse frequency and IGF-I levels did not differ. In a stepwise regression model, trunk fat accounted for 38% of the variation of mean GH levels (P = 0.02), but neither total body fat nor BMI were significant determinants of mean GH in the model. There was a strong inverse association between mean 24-h GH and both truncal fat and cardiovascular risk markers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Our data suggest that visceral adiposity may be associated with reduced endogenous GH in healthy women, even in the absence of generalized obesity, and that decreased GH secretion may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk markers in this population.

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of a long-acting growth hormone (GH) preparation (nutropin depot) in GH-deficient adults

A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study of a long-acting GH [Nutropin Depot; somatropin (rDNA origin) for injectable suspension] was performed in 25 patients with adult GH deficiency. Single doses of 0.25 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, based on ideal body weight, were administered sc. After either dose, serum GH concentrations rose rapidly in both sexes. In men, the lower dose maintained serum IGF-I levels within 1 SD of the mean for age and sex for 14-17 d; the higher dose raised IGF-I levels 2 SD above the mean. In most women, all of whom were receiving oral estrogen, the lower dose did not normalize IGF-I levels; the higher dose maintained IGF-I near the mean for approximately 14 d. Increases in IGF binding protein-3 and acid-labile subunit levels were observed in both sexes; however, a sex-related difference was not obvious. Fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were transiently elevated in men receiving the higher dose. Patients tolerated the injections well. We concluded that a single injection of Nutropin Depot at these doses in patients with adult GH deficiency increased serum IGF-I to within normal limits for 14-17 d. Estrogen-treated women required approximately twice the dose needed in men to produce comparable IGF-I concentrations.