Growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in adults stimulates fibroblast activation protein-α activity
Authors' conclusion
(1) Our study documents for the first time that GH stimulates FAPα activity in vivo in human subjects. (2) The concomitant increase in collagen turnover and the lack of change in intact FGF21 suggest that GH-driven FAPα activity predominantly involves collagen breakdown, and (3) FAPα is a novel biomarker of GH/IGF-I activity and may be causally linked to GH-induced fibrosis.
Study context
- Population
- Adult patients with GH-deficiency (GHD) before and after GH replacement therapy
- Comparison
- GHD patients before vs after 3-6 months GH replacement; non-GHD hypopituitary patients and healthy reference group as comparators
- Outcome
- Circulating FAPα activity and levels
- Follow-up
- Before and after 3-6 months GH replacement
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
GHD group 1: before vs after
290.6 ± 47.8 vs. 428.5 ± 66.4
P < .05
GHD group 2: before vs after
291.0 ± 37.4 vs. 403.0 ± 52.9
P < .05
FAPα levels increased after GH replacement in both groups
40%
P < .01
Further findings
Collagen turnover biomarkers (PINP, PIIINP, CTx) · 3 months GH replacement
- PINP, PIIINP and CTx significantly increased
Intact FGF21
- Intact FGF21 remained unchanged
Original publication
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →