Summary
Hypertriglyceridemia is the most frequent modification of lipid metabolism observed
in acromegaly. The somatostatin analog, octreotide (Sandostatin®), widely used in the treatment of acromegaly, is able to produce a decrease in levels
of growth hormone (GH), insulin, and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1). We have
attempted to evaluate the influence of this treatment on the lipid status of acromegalic
patients. Seventeen patients with active acromegaly were treated with octreotide,
100 to 500 μg/injection subcutaneously three times daily. The levels of fasting serum
triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
and IGF1, as well as mean plasma GH and insulin levels during a diurnal profile, were
evaluated before and after three months of octreotide therapy. GH, insulin and IGF1
decreased by 61%, 42% and 36% respectively (p < 0.05). Mean levels (± SEM) of TG and
total cholesterol fell from 2.2±0.4 mmol/l to 1.6±0.3 mmol/l (p < 0.05) and 6.4±0.39
mmol/l to 5.6±0.27 mmol/l (p > 0.05), respectively. There was no correlation between
triglyceride decrease and hormonal changes or clinical status (BMI, age, sex). In
conclusion, the administration of octreotide over a three month period to acromegalic
patients is associated with a decrease in TG levels.
Key words
Lipids - Acromegaly - Octreotide - Triglyceride - Cholesterol - Growth Hormone
