The Effects of Growth Hormone and Sex Steroid on Lean Body Mass, Fat Mass, Muscle Strength, Cardiovascular Endurance and Adverse Events in Healthy Elderly Women and Men Increased Adrenal Androgen Levels in Patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome Are Associated with Insulin, IGF-I, and Leptin, but Not with Measures of Obesity Caloric Restriction Effect on Proinflammatory Cytokines, Growth Hormone, and Steroid Hormone Concentrations during Exercise in Judokas Recombinant human growth hormone in abstinent androgenic-anabolic steroid use: psychological, endocrine and trophic factor effects. Different effects of tibolone and continuous combined estrogen plus progestogen hormone therapy on sex hormone binding globulin and free testosterone levels – an association with mammographic density The effects of creatine supplementation on muscular performance and body composition responses to short-term resistance training overreaching Effects of protein supplementation on muscular performance and resting hormonal changes in college football players. Body mass index, circulating levels of sex-steroid hormones, IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3: a cross-sectional study in healthy women. Short-term recombinant human growth hormone administration improves respiratory function in abstinent anabolic-androgenic steroid users.
Decreases in growth hormone ( GH ) and insulin-like growth factor I occur with age , in addition to oestrogen deficiency in women and a reduction in the levels of testosterone in men . These age-related hormonal changes may contribute to reductions in lean body mass , muscle strength and cardiac endurance , which can be partially reversed in elderly people with GH treatment , and testosterone supplements and oestrogen/progestin hormone replacement therapy in men and women , respectively . These treatments are , however , thought to have potentially serious adverse effects . We conducted a study to evaluate the separate and interactive effects of GH and sex steroids on body composition , muscle strength and cardiac endurance as well as the rate of adverse events in healthy elderly people . The results of the study showed that although there were beneficial effects with GH and sex steroid treatment , a high percentage of adverse effects occurred after 26 weeks of treatment , demonstrating a need for more research on the safety of hormonal therapy in the elderly population Background / Aim : Since hyper and rogenism in simple obesity is assumed to arise from hyperinsulinism and /or increased insulin-like growth factor I ( IGF-I ) or leptin levels , we examined how in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome ( PWS ) , the most frequent form of syndromal obesity , the accelerated adrenarche can be explained despite hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency with low levels of insulin and IGF-I. Methods : In 23 children with PWS and a mean age of 5.6 years , height , weight , fat mass , fasting insulin concentration , insulin resistance ( by HOMA-R ; see text ) , and leptin and IGF-I levels were determined to test whether they explain the variance of the levels of dehydroepi and rosterone ( DHEA ) and its sulfate ( DHEAS ) , of and rostenedione , and of cortisol before and during 42 months of therapy with growth hormone . Results : The baseline DHEAS , DHEA , and and rostenedione concentrations were increased as compared with age-related reference values , whereas the cortisol level was always normal . During growth hormone treatment , the DHEA concentration further rose , and the cortisol level decreased significantly . The insulin and IGF-I concentrations were low before therapy , while fat mass and leptin level were elevated . The hormonal covariates provided alone or together between 24 and 60 % of the explanation for the variance of adrenal and rogen levels , but the anthropometric variables did not correlate with them . Conclusions : In children with PWS , elevated and rogen levels correlate with hormones that are usually associated with adiposity . However , the lack of direct correlations between disturbed body composition and and rogen levels as well as the increased sensitivity to insulin and IGF-I are abnormalities specific to PWS , potentially caused by the underlying hypothalamic defect The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of caloric restriction on the immune and hormonal responses during exercise in judo athletes . In a r and omised order , 11 male judokas ( age : 20.45 ± 0.51 ; height : 1.71 ± 0.3 m ; and body weight : 75.9 ± 3.1 kg ) participate in this study during a period of weight maintenance ( baseline ) and after 7 days of caloric restriction ( CR ) . All subjects performed the Special Judo Fitness Test ( SJFT ) during the two conditions . Values for nutrient intakes were obtained from a 7 d food record kept during a period of weight maintenance and after a 7-day food restriction ( −5~6 MJ/day ) . Our results showed that CR result ed in significant decreases in body weight ( P < 0.05 ) and performance ( P < 0.05 ) . However , heart rate and SJFT index ( P < 0.05 ) increase significantly during CR in comparison to baseline . Moreover , exercise leads to a significant increase in testosterone , cortisol , growth hormone ( GH ) , leukocytes , neutrophils , TNF-α , and IL-6 , in both CR and baseline conditions . Compared to baseline , TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher during CR condition ( P < 0.05 ) . Additionally , CR leads to an increase in cortisol and GH ( P < 0.05 ) and a decrease in testosterone concentrations ( P < 0.05 ) This study examined whether six days recombinant human growth hormone ( rhGH ) affected psychological profile in an abstinent and rogenic-anabolic steroid ( AAS ) abusing group , compared with an abstinent AAS control group . Male subjects ( n = 48 ) were assigned in a r and om fashion into one of two groups : ( 1 ) : ( n=24 ) control group ( C ) ; ( 2 ) : ( n=24 ) rhGH group ( GH ) . A hospital anxiety scale ( HADS ) question naire was completed by all subjects . Physiological responses investigated included anthropometry . Biochemical markers examined included ; serum glucose , sodium , urea , lipid profile , high sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) , homocysteine ( HCY ) , tetra-iodothyronine ( T4 ) , thyroid stimulating ( TSH ) , luteinising ( LH ) and follicle stimulating ( FSH ) hormones , testosterone ( T ) , prolactin ( PRL ) , cortisol and insulin like growth factor-1 ( IGF-I ) . HADS question naire significantly decreased in both anxiety ( A ) and depression ( D ) symptoms within GH ( P<0.017 ) and compared with C ( P<0.05 ) . Body mass index ( BMI ) and fat-free mass index ( FFMI ) significantly increased ( both P<0.017 ) while body fat significantly decreased within GH ( P<0.017 ) . IGF-I significantly increased within GH ( P<0.017 ) and significantly increased compared with C ( P<0.05 ) . Serum sodium significantly increased ( P<0.017 ) and serum HCY , hsCRP , TSH and T4 , significantly decreased within GH ( all P<0.017 ) . PRL significantly increased and T4 significantly decreased compared with C ( both P<0.05 ) . The findings of this study suggest that short term use of rhGH has beneficial effects on mental state  in individuals who were previous abusers of AAS and appeared to have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk markers associated with adverse mental health Objective To compare the effects of tibolone and continuous combined hormone therapy on circulating sex steroids and their binding proteins and their relationship to  mammographic density .  Study design A prospect i ve , double-blind placebo-controlled study . A total of 166 postmenopausal women were equally r and omized to receive tibolone 2.5 mg , estradiol 2 mg/norethisterone acetate 1 mg ( E2/NETA ) or placebo . Serum analyses of sex steroids , insulin-like growth factor ( IGF-I ) and binding proteins and assessment of mammographic breast density were performed at baseline and after 6 months of treatment . Results Estrogens were markedly increased and and rogens decreased by E2/NETA . In contrast , tibolone had only a minor influence on circulating estrogens . Sex hormone binding globulin ( SHBG ) levels were reduced by 50 % , while levels of and rogens increased . Baseline values of estrone sulfate ( E1S ) , around 1.0–1.1 nmol/l , were increased to 44.7 nmol/l by E2/NETA and to only 1.7 nmol/l by tibolone ( p < 0.001 ) . Mammographic breast density displayed a negative correlation with age and body mass index and a positive association with SHBG . After 6 months there was also a negative correlation with levels of free testosterone . Conclusion We found that tibolone and E2/NETA caused distinct differences in estrogen/ and rogen status and blood levels of possible breast mitogens . The negative association between free testosterone and mammographic density could be a possible explanation for tibolone having less influence on the breast To determine the effects of creatine supplementation during short-term resistance training overreaching on performance , body composition , and resting hormone concentrations , 17 men were r and omly assigned to supplement with 0.3 g/kg per day of creatine monohydrate ( CrM : n=9 ) or placebo ( P : n=8 ) while performing resistance exercise ( 5 days/week for 4 weeks ) followed by a 2-week taper phase . Maximal squat and bench press and explosive power in the bench press were reduced during the initial weeks of training in P but not CrM. Explosive power in the bench press , body mass , and lean body mass ( LBM ) in the legs were augmented to a greater extent in CrM ( P≤0.05 ) by the end of the 6-week period . A tendency for greater 1-RM squat improvement ( P=0.09 ) was also observed in CrM. Total testosterone ( TT ) and the free and rogen index ( TT/SHBG ) decreased in CrM and P , reaching a nadir at week 3 , whereas sex hormone binding globulin ( SHBG ) responded in an opposite direction . Cortisol significantly increased after week 1 in CrM ( + 29 % ) , and returned to baseline at week 2 . Insulin was significantly depressed at week 1 ( −24 % ) and drifted back toward baseline during weeks 2–4 . Growth hormone and IGF-I levels were not affected . Therefore , some measures of muscular performance and body composition are enhanced to a greater extent following the rebound phase of short-term resistance training overreaching with creatine supplementation and these changes are not related to changes in circulating hormone concentrations obtained in the resting , postabsorptive state . In addition , creatine supplementation appears to be effective for maintaining muscular performance during the initial phase of high-volume resistance training overreaching that otherwise results in small performance decrements The effect of protein supplementation on athletic performance and hormonal changes was examined in 21 experienced collegiate strength/power athletes participating in a 12-week resistance training program . Subjects were r and omly assigned to either a protein supplement ( PR ; n = 11 ) or a placebo ( PL ; n = 10 ) group . During each testing session subjects were assessed for strength ( one repetition maximum [ 1-RM ] bench press and squat ) , power ( Wingate anaerobic power test ) and body composition . Resting blood sample s were analyzed at weeks 0 ( PRE ) , 6 ( MID ) and 12 ( POST ) for total testosterone , cortisol , growth hormone , and IGF-1 . No difference was seen in energy intake between PR and PL ( 3034 ± 209 kcal and 3130 ± 266 kcal , respectively ) , but a significant difference in daily protein intake was seen between PR ( 2.00 g·kg body mass[BM](-1)·d(-1 ) ) and PL ( 1.24 g·kgBM(-1)·d(-1 ) ) . A greater change ( p < 0.05 ) in the ∆ 1-RM squat was seen in PR ( 23.5 ± 13.6 kg ) compared to PL ( 9.1 ± 11.9 kg ) . No other significant strength or power differences were seen between the groups . Cortisol concentrations were significantly lower at MID for PL and this difference was significantly different than PR . No significant changes were noted in resting growth hormone or IGF-1 concentrations in either group . Although protein supplementation appeared to augment lower body strength development , similar upper body strength , anaerobic power and lean tissue changes do not provide clear evidence supporting the efficacy of a 12-week protein supplementation period in experienced resistance trained athletes . Key pointsCollegiate strength/power athletes may not meet daily recommended energy or protein needs . When athletes are provided a protein supplement they appear to meet the recommended daily protein intake for strength/power athletes . Protein supplementation did augment lower body strength development in experienced strength/power athletes .  Results of upper body strength , anaerobic power and lean tissue changes did not support the efficacy of a 12-week protein supplementation period in experienced resistance trained athletes OBJECTIVE Excess weight has been associated with increased risk of cancer at several organ sites . In part , this effect may be modulated through alterations in the metabolism of sex steroids and IGF-I related peptides . The objectives of the study were to examine the association of body mass index ( BMI ) with circulating and rogens ( testosterone , and rostenedione and dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate ( DHEAS ) ) , estrogens ( estrone and estradiol ) , sex hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) , IGF-I and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 , and the relationship between sex steroids , IGF-I and IGFBP-3 . DESIGN AND METHODS A cross-sectional analysis was performed using  hormonal and question naire data of 620 healthy women ( 177 pre- and 443 post-menopausal ) . The laboratory measurements of the hormones of interest were available from two previous case-control studies on endogenous hormones and cancer risk . RESULTS In the pre-menopausal group , BMI was not related to and rogens and IGF-I. In the post-menopausal group , estrogens , testosterone and and rostenedione increased with increasing BMI . The association with IGF-I was non-linear , with the highest mean concentrations observed in women with BMI between 24 and 25 . In both pre- and post-menopausal subjects , IGFBP-3 did not vary across BMI categories and SHBG decreased with increasing BMI . As for the correlations between peptide and steroid hormones , in the post-menopausal group , IGF-I was positively related to and rogens , inversely correlated with SHBG , and not correlated with estrogens . In the pre-menopausal group , similar but weaker correlations between IGF-I and and rogens were observed . CONCLUSIONS These observations offer evidence that obesity may influence the levels of endogenous sex-steroid and IGF-related hormones in the circulation , especially after menopause . Circulating IGF-I , and rogens and SHBG appear to be related to each other in post-menopausal women OBJECTIVES To determine whether 6 days recombinant human growth hormone ( rhGH ) administration , in an abstinent anabolic- and rogenic steroid ( AAS ) using group had any respiratory , endurance exercise and biochemical effects compared with an abstinent AAS control group . METHODS Male subjects ( n=48 ) were r and omly divided , using a single blind procedure into two groups : ( 1 )  control group ( C ) n=24 , means+/-SD , age 32+/-11 years ; height 1.8+/-0.06 m ; ( 2 ) rhGH using group ( 0.019 mg kg(-1 ) day(-1 ) ) ( GH ) n=24 , means+/-SD , age 32+/-9 years ; height 1.8+/-0.07 m.  Anthropometry , respiratory muscle function and endurance exercise were investigated . Respiratory measurements examined , were forced expiratory volume in one second , forced vital capacity , maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure . Endurance exercise was assessed by measuring peak oxygen uptake ( VO(2)peak ) . Biochemical analysis included ; haemoglobin , packed cell volume , glucose , sodium , urea , creatinine , total protein , albumin , testosterone and insulin like growth factor-I ( IGF-I ) . RESULTS Forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity , maximum inspiratory pressure , maximum expiratory pressure , and IGF-I significantly increased compared with the control group ( all P<0.05 ) . Body mass index , fat free mass index , peak oxygen uptake , maximum inspiratory pressure , maximum expiratory pressure , IGF-I and serum sodium significantly increased , whilst body fat , total protein and albumin , significantly decreased within the GH group ( all P<0.017 ) . CONCLUSION The findings of this study indicated that short-term high dose rhGH increased aerobic performance and respiratory muscle strength in former AAS users
RESULTS Body cell mass was correlated with all measures of performance at baseline .
Growth hormone significantly reduced fat mass , increased lean body mass through an increase in extracellular water , and increased body cell mass in men when coadministered with testosterone .
Growth hormone supplementation influenced body composition and increased sprint capacity when administered alone and in combination with testosterone .
BACKGROUND Growth hormone is widely abused by athletes , frequently with and rogenic steroids .
Its effects on performance are unclear .
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of growth hormone alone or with testosterone on body composition and measures of performance .