L’Asse ipotalamo-ipofisi GH-IGF-1 nel diabete mellito di tipo 2 e nel LADA: ruolo dell’adiponectina

Introduction:Growth hormone (GH) neurosecretion is often impaired in patients with diabetes mellitus. GH secretion is reduced in patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), whereas is normal - or even enhanced - in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Less is known in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) patients. Differences in adipose tissue distribution may partly account for these findings. The dysregulated expression of various bioactive substances secreted by adipose tissue are clearly linked to metabolic diseases. Moreover, these adipokines can alter anterior pituitary function and may contribute to a dysregulation of the GH-IGF-1 axis.Aim:This study was conceived to evaluate GH secretion in LADA and T2D patients by measuring the GH-dependent protein insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and to investigate a possible correlation between IGF-1 and adipocytokines serum levels in these patients.Methods:The study group consisted of 100 LADA, 100 T2D, and 100 healthy controls. Serum IGF-1, leptin, and total adiponectin were measured in all subjects.Results:Simple correlation analysis showed that IGF-1 levels significantly correlated with adiponectin in LADA as well in T2D and healthy controls (p <0.01 for all). These results were confirmed in multiple regression analysis after adjusting for confounders (p < 0.01).Conclusions:These data suggest a dysregulation of GH-IGF-1 axis in the LADA and T2D patients and possible impact of adiponectin on IGF-1 levels.