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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01853566

Effects of Growth Hormone Administration on Muscle Strength and Body Composition in Men Over 50 Years Old

The growth hormone (GH) secretion declines gradually with age, with studies demonstrating a progressive reduction of 14% secretion per decade of life beginning in the second decade. Other studies suggest a disruption in GH secretion in elderly people. These findings suggest a possible association between growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and the ageing process.GH replacement is well known to improve body composition, leading to a decrease in total body fat and an increase in lean body mass. However, GH replacement has only shown an effect on muscle strength in GH-deficient adults subjected to long-term GH therapy. Few studies have evaluated the effect of GH replacement on muscle strength in elderly people engaged in a program of exercise training.Our purpose is to evaluate the effect of GH therapy on muscle strength in healthy, non-sedentary men over 50 years old.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Endocrine Gland Neoplasms Endocrine System Diseases Genetic Diseases, Inborn Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms, Multiple Primary Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary

Age range

50 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho - UFRJ

Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil

About this study

At baseline, subjects are submitted to evaluation of GH secretion, testosterone level, body composition, and muscle strength. Absence of GHD and normal testosterone levels were necessary for the inclusion in the study. These parameters will be evaluated after 6 months of GH use x placebo.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy and non-sedentary men aged 50-70 years

Exclusion criteria

  • pituitary disease, GH use in the last 12 months, severe acute disease, hepatic and/or renal chronic disease, uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorders, history of cancer, non-treated hypogonadism and the presence of any other disease that could interfere with the somatotrophic axis.

Treatment and study plan

growth hormone

Drug

GH group intervention: use of GH - initial dose of 0.5 UI/day (0.2 mg/day), with readjustments to 1.0 UI/day (0.4 mg/day) and 1.5 UI/day (0.6 mg/day) after 1 and 2 months of treatment, respectively. The last GH dose will be maintained until the end of the study. These GH dosages were based on the dose used for adults of the same age with GHD. Subjects will be re-evaluated after 6 months of GH therapy or placebo according to muscle strength and body composition .The other group received placebo using the same scheme as the GH group.

Other names: somatotropin

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle strength after GH replacement

    Time frame: after 6 months of GH replacement

    Muscle strength is evaluated for the maximum strength based on the concept of maximum repetition (1 MR) (i.e., the maximum load that can be performed using the correct technique for an exercise).The exercises evaluated were bench press and leg press. To determine the load associated with 10 MR, each subject can initially performed 10 repetitions of each exercise with a sub maximum load, which is considered a load that was possible to mobilise. Then, the loads are progressively increased and with a maximum of 3 trials, the load of 10 MR is reached. During the 10 MR test, a 2-5 minute interval is provided between the attempts of each exercise. After the load was obtained for a determined exercise, intervals not less than 10 minutes were given before moving on to the next exercise.

Secondary outcomes

  1. body composition after growth hormone replacement

    Time frame: after 6 months of growth hormone

    Body mass index is calculated using Quetelet's formula (weight/height2) and the percentage of body fat was calculated using the adipometer on seven cutaneous folds (tricipital, subscapular, suprailiac, pectoral, axillary, abdominal and thigh) according to the Pollock and Jackson protocol. Abdominal circumference is measured using a non-elastic tape at the greatest diameter between the last ribs and the iliac crests. The same person examined all subjects.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
May 15, 2013
Registry last updated
Sep 3, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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