Short-term treatment with growth hormone stimulates osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity in osteopenic postmenopausal women: A dose response study

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Abstract
To investigate the potential use of growth hormone (GH) in Activate‐Depress‐Free‐Repeat treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, we measured changes in serum levels of biochemical markers of bone turnover, insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), calciotropic hormones, and bone mineral density in 40 postmenopausal women with osteopenia (ages 52–73 years) in response to 7 days of treatment with either placebo or GH (0.05, 0.10, or 0.20 IU/kg/day) administered subcutaneously in the evening. GH treatment increased serum osteocalcin (p < 0.01) and C‐terminal type‐I procollagen propeptide (p < 0.01) and also serum levels of type‐I collagen telopeptide (p < 0.001), fasting urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine (p < 0.05), pyridinoline/creatinine (p < 0.05), and deoxypyridinoline/creatinine (p < 0.01) in a dose‐dependent fashion. Even the lowest dose of GH tested induced a significant increase in these parameters; however, the effects were transient lasting only 1–2 weeks. In the highest dose group, however, a somewhat prolonged effect (30 days) on serum osteocalcin was observed. Furthermore, GH increased serum levels of IGF‐I, insulin, and tri‐iodothyronin. No effect on serum 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 or parathyroid hormone could be demonstrated. Adverse effects were mainly related to fluid retention. They were clearly dose‐dependent and rapidly reversible. In conclusion, short‐term GH treatment stimulates bone formation and bone resorption in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
Funding Information
  • Novo-Nordisk A/S, Denmark

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