Association between overweight and growth hormone secretion in patients with non-functioning pituitary tumors.

Seki Y, Ichihara A

PloS one22 Apr 2022Cited by 3 (Europe PMC)

PMID35452483PMCIDPMC9032366DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0267324PepBankPUB-35452483

Summary

IntroductionGrowth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) is often complicated by non-functioning pituitary tumors (NFPTs); however, its prevalence remains unclear because preoperative screening for GHD with provocative tests is not recommended. Accordingly, we attempted to clarify the characteristics of GHD in unoperated patients with NFPT.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke's cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016. We investigated the association between peak GH response to GHRP-2 and background characteristics.ResultsAmong 104 patients (85 NFPA and 19 Rathke's cysts), 45 (43%) presented severe GHD, as diagnosed using GHRP-2 tests. Body mass index (β = -0.210, P = 0.007), free thyroxine (β = 0.440, P < 0.001), and tumor height (β = -0.254, P < 0.001) were significant variables for determining the peak GH response to GHRP-2 in multiple regression analyses. Overweight (odds ratio, 3.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-14.66) was significantly associated with severe GHD after adjustment for age, sex, creatinine, free thyroxine, tumor height and clinical diagnosis. The regression slopes between tumor height and peak GH response to GHRP-2 significantly differed between overweight patients and non-overweight individuals, as determined by analysis of covariance (P = 0.040). In the 48 patients who underwent postoperative GHRP-2 tests, severe postoperative GHD was significantly more common in overweight patients than non-overweight individuals (100% vs. 48%, P < 0.001).ConclusionWe observed a negative synergistic effect between overweight and tumor size on GH secretion in patients with NFPTs, indicating that GH provocation tests for diagnosing underestimated GHD could be considered in overweight unoperated patients with large NFPTs.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study7

7 results from studies that gave the peptide. 7 results from people.

01HumanObservational studyOther
Among adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, 43% had severe GH deficiency by the GHRP‑2 test.
In plain wordsIn adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, 43% had severe growth hormone deficiency on a GHRP‑2 test.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
Not applicablePrevalence of severe GHD by GHRP-2 test
Study
n = 104
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Severe GHD
43%
GHRP-2 test
Source sentences
Summary
Among 104 patients (85 NFPA and 19 Rathke's cysts), 45 (43%) presented severe GHD, as diagnosed using GHRP-2 tests.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke's cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3545248301
02HumanObservational studyOther
In adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, higher body mass index was associated with a lower peak GH response to GHRP‑2.
In plain wordsIn adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, a higher BMI was linked to a lower growth hormone peak after GHRP‑2.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
DecreaseAssociation of BMI with peak GH response to GHRP-2
Study
n = 104
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Regression coefficient (BMI)
−0.21
peak GH response to GHRP-2
Source sentences
Summary
Body mass index (β = -0.210, P = 0.007)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke's cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3545248302
03HumanObservational studyOther
In adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, higher free thyroxine was associated with a higher peak GH response to GHRP‑2.
In plain wordsIn adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, higher thyroxine was linked to a higher growth hormone peak after GHRP‑2.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseAssociation of free thyroxine with peak GH response to GHRP-2
Study
n = 104
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Regression coefficient (free thyroxine)
0.44
peak GH response to GHRP-2
Source sentences
Summary
Body mass index (β = -0.210, P = 0.007), free thyroxine (β = 0.440, P < 0.001), and tumor height (β = -0.254, P < 0.001) were significant variables for determining the peak GH response to GHRP-2 in multiple regression analyses.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke's cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3545248303
04HumanObservational studyOther
In adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, greater tumor height was associated with a lower peak GH response to GHRP‑2.
In plain wordsIn adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, a taller tumor was linked to a lower growth hormone peak after GHRP‑2.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
DecreaseAssociation of tumor height with peak GH response to GHRP-2
Study
n = 104
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Regression coefficient (tumor height)
−0.254
peak GH response to GHRP-2
Source sentences
Summary
Body mass index (β = -0.210, P = 0.007), free thyroxine (β = 0.440, P < 0.001), and tumor height (β = -0.254, P < 0.001) were significant variables for determining the peak GH response to GHRP-2 in multiple regression analyses.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke's cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3545248304
05HumanObservational studyOther
In adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, overweight was significantly associated with severe GH deficiency on the GHRP‑2 test after adjustment.
In plain wordsIn adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, being overweight was linked to severe growth hormone deficiency on a GHRP‑2 test.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseAssociation of overweight with severe GHD by GHRP-2
Study
n = 104
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Odds ratio
3.86
overweight, severe GHD
Source sentences
Summary
Overweight (odds ratio, 3.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-14.66) was significantly associated with severe GHD after adjustment for age, sex, creatinine, free thyroxine, tumor height and clinical diagnosis.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke's cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3545248305
06HumanObservational studyOther
In adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, the slope between tumor height and peak GH response to GHRP‑2 differed significantly between overweight and non-overweight patients.
In plain wordsIn adults with non-functioning pituitary tumors, tumor size and growth hormone response to GHRP‑2 were related differently in overweight and non-overweight patients.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
Direction not reportedDifference in regression slope of tumor height versus peak GH response, overweight versus non-overweight
Study
n = 104
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
The regression slopes between tumor height and peak GH response to GHRP-2 significantly differed between overweight patients and non-overweight individuals, as determined by analysis of covariance (P = 0.040).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke's cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3545248306
07HumanObservational studyOther
After surgery, severe GH deficiency on the GHRP‑2 test was more common in overweight patients than in non-overweight patients (100% versus 48%).
In plain wordsAfter surgery, severe growth hormone deficiency on a GHRP‑2 test was more common in overweight patients than in others.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreasePostoperative severe GHD by GHRP-2, overweight versus non-overweight
Study
n = 48
Comparator
Non-overweight patients
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Severe postoperative GHD
100%
overweight
Severe postoperative GHD
48%
non-overweight
Source sentences
Summary
In the 48 patients who underwent postoperative GHRP-2 tests, severe postoperative GHD was significantly more common in overweight patients than non-overweight individuals (100% vs. 48%, P < 0.001).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke's cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3545248307

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Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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