Growth hormone replacement therapy in adult growth hormone deficiency significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation measured by MRI-PDFF, and younger age and high serum triglyceride levels were independent predictors of greater decreases in MRI-PDFF levels.
Key Findings
Results
GHRT significantly decreased hepatic lipid content as measured by MRI-PDFF in people with AGHD.
19 participants were in the GHRT group and 10 in the non-GHRT group out of 29 completers (30 recruited).
MRI-PDFF was used to evaluate hepatic lipid content before and after GHRT.
Significant decreases in MRI-PDFF were observed after treatment in the GHRT group.
No significant change in MRI-PDFF was reported in the non-GHRT group (implied by contrast with GHRT group findings).
Results
GHRT significantly improved serum liver enzyme parameters in the GHRT group.
Significant decreases were observed in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) after GHRT.
These changes were observed in the GHRT group of 19 participants.
Serum laboratory data were analyzed before and after GHRT.
Results
The decrease in MRI-PDFF after GHRT significantly correlated with several baseline clinical parameters.
The decrease in MRI-PDFF levels after GHRT significantly correlated with initial MRI-PDFF levels.
Significant correlations were also found with baseline triglyceride (TG) levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and ALT levels.
Age also significantly correlated with the decrease in MRI-PDFF after GHRT.
Results
Younger age and high serum triglyceride levels were identified as independent predictors of a decrease in MRI-PDFF levels after GHRT.
Multiple regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors.
Younger age was an independent predictor of greater MRI-PDFF reduction following GHRT.
High serum TG levels were an independent predictor of greater MRI-PDFF reduction following GHRT.
These two variables were identified among the correlated parameters: initial MRI-PDFF, TG, LDH, ALT, and age.
Background
Adult growth hormone deficiency is frequently accompanied by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
AGHD is described as 'often accompanied with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)'.
Prior studies have reported MASLD amelioration by GHRT, but characteristics associated with improvement were previously unknown.
Taguchi T, Ito S, Fujishima R, Shimizu N, Hagiwara W, Matoba K, et al.. (2025). Hypertriglyceridemia and younger age are associated with effectiveness of growth hormone therapy on hepatic steatosis.. Endocrine journal. https://doi.org/10.1507/endocrj.EJ24-0481