Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, Gergans GA, Lalitha PY, Goldberg AF, Schlenker RA, Cohn L, Rudman IW, Mattson DE
New England Journal of Medicine
July 1990
Clinical Trial
12 participants
Abstract
The declining activity of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis with advancing age may contribute to age-related changes in body composition. We studied the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (HGH) administration in healthy older men.
Methodology
We studied 12 healthy men 61 to 81 years old who had plasma IGF-I concentrations below the normal range for young adults. Subjects received subcutaneous injections of biosynthetic human growth hormone 0.03 mg/kg body weight three times per week for six months.
Results
Lean body mass increased by 8.8%, adipose tissue mass decreased by 14.4%, and skin thickness increased by 7.1%. Lumbar vertebral bone density increased significantly. Plasma IGF-I levels increased into the normal range for young adults.
Conclusions
Diminished secretion of growth hormone is responsible in part for the decrease of lean body mass, expansion of adipose tissue, and thinning of the skin that occur in old age.