Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adult hypopituitary patients with GH deficiency and the impact of GH replacement therapy

BackgroundLiver dysfunction in adult hypopituitary patients with GH deficiency (GHD) has been reported and an increased prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been suggested.ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to elucidate the pathophysiology of the liver in adult hypopituitary patients with GHD.Patients and methodsWe recruited 69 consecutive Japanese adult hypopituitary patients with GHD and examined the prevalence of NAFLD by ultrasonography and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by liver biopsy. Patients had been given routine replacement therapy except for GH. We compared these patients with healthy age-, gender-, and BMI-matched controls. We further analyzed the effect of GH replacement therapy on liver function, inflammation and fibrotic markers, and histological changes.ResultsThe prevalence of NAFLD in hypopituitary patients with GHD was significantly higher than in controls (77 vs 12%, P