Can plasma antioxidants prevent DNA damage in oxidative stress condition induced by growth hormone deficiency? A pilot study

PLoS One. 2021 Apr 1;16(4):e0248971. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248971. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD), a condition characterized by increased oxidative stress, is related to augmented cardiovascular, metabolic and oncological risk. A case-control observational study has been performed to evaluate DNA oxidative damage analysing the production of thymidine-glycol in lymphocytes and its correlation with plasma antioxidant levels, evaluated as Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). GHD was diagnosed using GHRH 50μg iv+arginine 0,5 g/Kg test, with peak GH response <9 μg/L when BMI was <30 kg/m2 or <4 μg/L when BMI was >30 kg/m2. Three groups were identified: total GHD (n = 16), partial GHD (n = 11), and controls (n = 12). Thymidine-glycol, TAC and IGF-1 have been determined respectively in lymphocytes, plasma and serum samples. When considering thymidine-glycol, we found a significant difference between total vs partial GHD and controls. Unexpectedly thymidine-glycol was lower in total GHD, also accompanied with a significant increase in plasmatic TAC. Our results showed that in adult GHD condition, the production of antioxidant species, in response to increased oxidative stress, could exert a protective effect on thymidine-glycol formation, and consequently on DNA intracellular damages. This pilot study could be inserted in the complex scenario of oxidative damage of GHD, a subtle, yet poorly defined condition, worthy of further insights.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA Damage*
  • Female
  • Human Growth Hormone / deficiency*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Thymidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Thymidine / metabolism

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone
  • thymidine glycol
  • Thymidine

Grants and funding

This research was funded by an unrestricted grant from Merck Serono Italian affiliate of Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.