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  • Symposium 7: Growth Hormone Prolactin and Growth Factors
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Symposium 7: Growth hormone, prolactin and growth factors

The GH/IGF-I axis in obesity: influence of neuroendocrine and metabolic factors

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages S96–S99 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

In this review we propose an integrated neuro-endocrine-metabolic point of view on the alterations (adaptations?) of GH/IGF-1 axis in obesity, summarizing the evidence from the literature, particularly focusing the data on humans and adding where possible results from our studies in this field.

It is well-known that GH secretion is deeply impaired in overweight patients: we reviewed the multiple mechanisms underlying this issue, considering either central (CNS-related, such as impairment of GHRH tone or increased somatostatin release) or peripheral (ie metabolic: insulin, free fatty acids, glucose) factors.

A central point of the debate about GH insufficiency in obesity is if it represents a simple adaptive phenomenon or reflects a true impairment of the axis activity. Evaluation of IGF-I levels and generation in obesity was the mean used to address this question: a bulk of evidence on IGF-I balance in human obesity has been provided, but the matter is still uncertain and unsolved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    M Maccario, S Grottoli, M Procopio, SE Oleandri, R Rossetto, C Gauna, E Arvat & E Ghigo

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  1. M Maccario
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  2. S Grottoli
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  3. M Procopio
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  4. SE Oleandri
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  5. R Rossetto
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  6. C Gauna
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  7. E Arvat
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  8. E Ghigo
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Maccario, M., Grottoli, S., Procopio, M. et al. The GH/IGF-I axis in obesity: influence of neuroendocrine and metabolic factors. Int J Obes 24 (Suppl 2), S96–S99 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801289

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801289

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