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GH-IGF-I axis in non-obese women with functional hyperandrogenism

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Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the GH-IGF-I axis in non-obese women with functional hyperandrogenism (FH). Eighteen FH women aged 18-35 yr with a body weight within 20% of ideal body weight and 10 weight-matched controls were included in the study. Basal serum GH, GH-binding protein (GHBP), IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels were determined as well as GH levels during GHRH stimulation. In addition, basal serum androgens [free T (FT), Δ4 and DHEAS], insulin and glucose levels were determined. The group of non-obese patients with FH differed from controls in GHBP (1.21±0.37 vs 0.93±0.25 nmol/l; p<0.05) and androgen levels (FT: 8.0±3.2 vs 1.9±1.2 pmol/l, p<0.001; Δ4: 10.5±3.2 vs 5.9±2.1 nmol/l, p<0.001; DHEAS: 9.3±3.0 vs 5.1±1.8 μmol/l, p<0.001). GH (r=0.365; p<0.05) and IGF-I (r=0.508, p<0.01) serum levels were significantly correlated to serum DHEAS levels in a combined group of patients and controls. Our results support the suggestion that the GH-IGF-I axis plays an important role in the evolution of hormonal and metabolic derangement in non-obese FH women.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Slovenia

    M. Legan, A. Kocijančič & J. Preželj

  2. Institute for Clinical Biochemistry, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    J. Osredkar

  3. Medical Department M, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    S. Fisker

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  1. M. Legan
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  2. A. Kocijančič
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  5. S. Fisker
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Correspondence to M. Legan.

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Legan, M., Kocijančič, A., Preželj, J. et al. GH-IGF-I axis in non-obese women with functional hyperandrogenism. J Endocrinol Invest 25, 691–695 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03345102

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