Alternations of somatotropic axis in septic patients in intensive care unit

Objective: To investigate the Growth Hormone (GH)/Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I)axis and identify the factors that determine IGF-I levels in adult septic patients of variable severity,i.e., with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock, in the acute phase of disease.Design: Prospective study comparing septic patients treated in a general intensive care unitand healthy volunteers.Methods: In 107 consecutive septic patients (44 with sepsis, 13 with severe sepsis, and 50with septic shock), GH, IGF-I, Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3), insulin,cortisol, albumin, thyroid hormones, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 serum levels weremeasured once within 48 hrs after onset of a septic episode. Twenty-nine healthy volunteers servedas controls.Results: IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were decreased in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis(versus controls), decreasing further in patients with septic shock (versus sepsis). IGF-I levels were positively related to IGFBP-3, albumin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine, and inversely related to cortisol, sepsis severity, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and age. In multiple regression analysis, IGF-I levels were independently related to IGFBP-3 and albumin (lower in patients with decreasedIGFBP-3 and albumin levels) (p<0.001 and p=0.01, respectively), and cortisol (lower in patientswith increased cortisol levels) (p=0.04). IGFBP-3 accounted for most of the variance explained bythe model (R2=0.519). GH levels were not related to IGF-I levels or mortality. IGF-I and IGFBP-3levels were associated with mortality.Conclusions: The GH/IGF-I axis is severely disrupted in septic patients. IGFBP-3 is themajor determinant of IGF-I levels, whereas albumin and cortisol are secondary determinants

Insulin-like Growth Factor I and its binding protein 3 in sepsis

Objective: To investigate the Growth Hormone (GH)/Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) axis and identify the factors that determine IGF-I levels in adult septic patients of variable severity, i.e., with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock, in the acute phase of disease. Design: In 107 consecutive septic patients (44 with sepsis, 13 with severe sepsis, and 50 with septic shock), GH, IGF-I, Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3), insulin, cortisol, albumin, thyroid hormones, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 serum levels were measured once within 48 h after onset of a septic episode. Twenty-nine healthy volunteers served as controls. Results: IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were decreased in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis (versus controls), decreasing further in patients with septic shock (versus sepsis). IGF-I levels were positively related to IGFBP-3, albumin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine, and inversely related to cortisol, sepsis severity, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and age. In multiple regression analysis, IGF-I levels were independently related to IGFBP-3 and albumin (lower in patients with decreased IGFBP-3 and albumin levels) (p &lt; 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively), and cortisol (lower in patients with increased cortisol levels) (p = 0.04). IGFBP-3 accounted for most of the variance explained by the model (R-2 = 0.519). GH levels were not related to IGF-I levels or mortality. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were not associated with mortality. Conclusions: The GH/IGF-I axis is severely disrupted in septic patients. IGFBP-3 is the major determinant of IGF-I levels. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Subcutaneous pulsatile glucocorticoid replacement therapy

The glucocorticoid hormone cortisol is released in pulses resulting in a complex and dynamic ultradian rhythm of plasma cortisol that underlies the classical circadian rhythm. These oscillating levels are also seen at the level of tissues such as the brain and trigger pulses of gene activation and downstream signalling. Different patterns of glucocorticoid presentation (constant vs pulsatile) result not only in different patterns of gene regulation but also in different neuroendocrine and behavioural responses. Current ‘optimal’ glucocorticoid replacement therapy results in smooth hormone blood levels and does not replicate physiological pulsatile cortisol secretion. Validation of a novel portable pulsatile continuous subcutaneous delivery system in healthy volunteers under dexamethasone and metyrapone suppression. Pulsatile subcutaneous hydrocortisone more closely replicates physiological circadian and ultradian rhythmicity

Prevalence of lifetime eating disorders in infertile women seeking pregnancy with pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy

Objectives: Relationships between weight and fertility are well known. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of lifetime eating disorder (ED) in a sample of infertile women seeking a specific infertility treatment, pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (pGnRH) treatment, and to compare it to the prevalence of lifetime ED in a sample of infertile women seeking other types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments.Design: Non-randomized, observational study including infertile female patients. Two-group design including consecutive women treated with GnRH pump (pGnRH) or with other types of ART.Setting: Multi-centric infertility centers, France METHODS: Twenty one consecutive women treated with pGnRH treatment were compared to 21 consecutive women receiving other types of infertility treatment. Diagnosis of ED was based on DSM-IV and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).Results: Twenty patients (95.2%) from the sample of women treated with pulsatile GnRH treatment and 5 patients (23.8%) from the patients receiving other types of infertility treatment met the criteria of lifetime ED diagnosis (p < 0.000).Conclusion: This study highlights the fact that the prevalence of ED is considerably higher in women receiving GnRH pulsatile treatment, when compared to women receiving other kinds of infertility treatment. In our study population ED were under-diagnosed, particularly in women receiving pulsatile GnRH treatment. Fertility clinicians should use reliable diagnostic tools to identify promptly ED in women presenting with hypothalamic amenorrhea and difficulties in conceiving. Level III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies