OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of amino-terminal propeptide of C-type natriuretic peptide (NTproCNP) in evaluating the effectiveness of therapy with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in patients with idiopathic short stature (ISS) and isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD). METHODS:Forty-eight prepubertal children (IGHD = 25, ISS = 23) treated for at least 1 year with rhGH were included. Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and NTproCNP serum levels were measured before starting treatment and again 6 months later. Twelve months after starting treatment, all patients were assessed and annual growth velocity (GV), height standard deviation score (HTSDS), and gain HTSDS (deltaHTSDS) were recorded. RESULTS: In the GHD group, positive relationships between GV and change of IGF-I(SDS) (deltaIGF-I(SDS)), GV and change of NTproCNP concentrations (deltaNTproCNP) were found. GH peak value was also positively associated with IGF-I(SDS) and NTproCNP before therapy and deltaIGF-I(SDS) and deltaNTproCNP were positively associated. In the ISS group, GV was associated with only deltaNTproCNP. CONCLUSIONS:NTproCNP is a novel biomarker of growth as levels increase during growth-promoting treatment. Furthermore, IGF-I is also valuable in evaluating the efficacy of rhGH therapy in short stature patients.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of amino-terminal propeptide of C-type natriuretic peptide (NTproCNP) in evaluating the effectiveness of therapy with recombinant humangrowth hormone (rhGH) in patients with idiopathic short stature (ISS) and isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD). METHODS: Forty-eight prepubertal children (IGHD = 25, ISS = 23) treated for at least 1 year with rhGH were included. Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and NTproCNP serum levels were measured before starting treatment and again 6 months later. Twelve months after starting treatment, all patients were assessed and annual growth velocity (GV), height standard deviation score (HTSDS), and gain HTSDS (deltaHTSDS) were recorded. RESULTS: In the GHD group, positive relationships between GV and change of IGF-I(SDS) (deltaIGF-I(SDS)), GV and change of NTproCNP concentrations (deltaNTproCNP) were found. GH peak value was also positively associated with IGF-I(SDS) and NTproCNP before therapy and deltaIGF-I(SDS) and deltaNTproCNP were positively associated. In the ISS group, GV was associated with only deltaNTproCNP. CONCLUSIONS:NTproCNP is a novel biomarker of growth as levels increase during growth-promoting treatment. Furthermore, IGF-I is also valuable in evaluating the efficacy of rhGH therapy in short staturepatients.