Growth Hormone Protects Against Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in States of Low Circulating Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1)
2010

Growth Hormone Protects Against Bone Loss After Ovariectomy

Sample size: 8 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Fritton J Christopher, Emerton Kelly B, Sun Hui, Kawashima Yuki, Mejia Wilson, Wu Yingjie, Rosen Clifford J, Panus David, Bouxsein Mary, Majeska Robert J, Schaffler Mitchell B, Yakar Shoshana

Primary Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Hypothesis

The skeletal response to ovariectomy-induced bone loss would be altered if the ability of the liver to express and produce circulating IGF-1 were limited.

Conclusion

Growth hormone can help maintain bone integrity in conditions of low IGF-1 after ovariectomy.

Supporting Evidence

  • OVX of LID mice resulted in maintenance of cortical bone mechanical integrity.
  • Serum GH levels were about 1.6-fold greater in LID mice than in controls after OVX.
  • Endosteal resorption increased in both control and LID mice, but to a lesser degree in LID mice.

Takeaway

This study shows that growth hormone can help protect bones from getting weaker after surgery that removes ovaries, especially when there's less of a hormone called IGF-1.

Methodology

The study used liver IGF-1-deficient (LID) mice to assess the effects of growth hormone on bone integrity after ovariectomy.

Limitations

The study was conducted on mice, which may not fully represent human physiology.

Participant Demographics

LID mice, specifically female mice aged 12 weeks.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1359/jbmr.090723

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