Solerte SB, Fioravanti M, Rondanelli M, Vignati G, Scevola D, Locatelli M, Ferrari E, Minoli R; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 25 (abstract no. Mo.B.420).

Dept. Internal Medicine, Pavia (Italy). Fax: 0039.382.24270.

Objective: It is still unclear the significance of endocrine alterations often described in AIDS patients. The controversy concerns the possible relevance of these changes in the clinical progression of the disease or the evaluation of endocrine dysfunctions as a consequence of HIV infection. On this light we studied the basal and the circadian variability of the GH-IGFI-IGFBP3 axis in HIV-infected patients. Methods: We evaluated the basal concentration and the circadian rhythm of GH, IGFI and IGFBP3 in 11 HIV-seropositive in-patients (9M, 2F, aged 32 plus or minus 8), classified CDC C3 (CD4+ below 200x106/L) with Wasting Syndrome (BMI= 16 plus or minus 1 Kg/m2) and in 12 healthy controls (aged: 30 plus or minus 5; BMI= 22 plus or minus 1 Kg/m2). GH, IGFI and IGFBP3 were determined by specific RIAs, IGFI was previously extracted with acid ethanol. GH-IGFI-IGFBP3 basal concentrations and circadian rhythms were also studied after treatment with recombinant human GH (rhGH: 16U/m2/weekly for 4 weeks). Results: Higher basal GH (p is less than 0.01) and lower IGFI (p is less than 0.001) and IGFBP3 (p is less than 0.001) serum levels were found in HIV-seropositive patients than in healthy controls. These changes were present throughout 24-h of the study. A lack of the circadian rhythmicity of GH-IGFI and IGFBP3 was also demonstrated in AIDS patients. IGFI/IGFBP3 and IGFI/GH molar ratios were significantly flattened in HIV-seropositive patients compared to healthy control subjects. rh GH treatment significantly increases (p is less than 0.001) the 24-h IGFI pattern and normalizes the circadian profile of GH secretion, already after 2 weeks of therapy. Conclusions: Our data are suggestive for the presence of biological inactive GH in AIDS patients. The low GH activity associated with the impaired IGFI excretion rate may be responsible for both metabolic and immunological alterations (e.g. increased catabolic pattern, reduced T-cell generation and activity), while rhGH treatment restores a normal 24-h IGFI profile. It is presumable that the reduced activity of GH-IGFI-IGFBP3 axis in AIDS patients might represent a defensive mechanism against HIV replication into the immune system.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• AIDS Vaccines
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Animals
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
• Circadian Rhythm
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Human Growth Hormone
• Humans
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
• United States
• Wasting Syndrome
• therapy

Other ID:

• 96920931

UI: 102216830

From Meeting Abstracts