Association between adipose (pro)renin receptor expression and growth hormone deficiency in patients with non-functioning hypothalamic-pituitary masses.

PURPOSE: Fat accumulation leads to obesity, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have shown that adipose (pro)renin receptor ([P]RR) may play a role in fat accumulation, and we previously reported increased adipose (P)RR expression in growth hormone (GH) deficiency in mice; however, the association between human adipose (P)RR expression and GH deficiency remains unclear.

METHODS

In this prospective study, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was collected during pituitary surgery in patients with non-functioning hypothalamic-pituitary masses, and the associations between adipose (P)RR mRNA expression, determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and GH deficiency and other clinical parameters were investigated.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (5 craniopharyngioma, 4 non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumor, 4 Rathke's cleft cyst, and 2 other diseases) (mean age, 53 ± 17 years; male sex, 3 [20%]; and mean body mass index [BMI], 24.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2; GH deficiency, 8 [53%]) were included. Adipose (P)RR mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients with GH deficiency (P = 0.009) compared to those without, but was not significantly associated with other pituitary functions. Adipose (P)RR mRNA expression was significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.526, P = 0.044) and body fat mass (r = 0.728, P = 0.026, n = 9). GH deficiency was significantly associated with (P)RR mRNA after adjustment for obesity (β = 2.257, 95% CI: 0.367-4.417, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Adipose (P)RR expression may be increased in GH deficiency, suggesting the possible role of adipose (P)RR in fat accumulation in GH deficiency.