Summary
Growth hormone stimulates collagen type I synthesis. Collagen type I is a common matrix
compound in a large number of connective tissues. The aim of our study was to prove
whether a stimulation of collagen type I synthesis might be accompanied by a deposition
of collagen type I in the skin (cutis). Twenty growth hormone-deficient hypopituitary
patients were included in a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, prospective,
twelve-month study (eighteen patients assessable at the end of the study). The patients
were treated with recombinant human growth hormone 0.25 U/kg/week subdivided in daily
subcutaneous injections beginning with half the dosage during the first four weeks.
During the first six months half of the patients were treated with placebo. PICP,
the indicator of collagen type I synthesis, was increased after six months of therapy
when compared to placebo. Skin thickness measured by ultrasound at the forearm and
mechanically at the dorsum of the hand with strong compression of the skin both increased
significantly following growth hormone substitution. Our data indicate that the stimulation
of collagen type I synthesis by growth hormone substitution is followed by a deposition
of collagen type I in the skin.
Key words
Collagen type I - PICP - skin thickness - skin fold thickness - ultrasound
