Low-dose growth hormone treatment combined with diet restriction decreases insulin resistance by reducing visceral fat and increasing muscle mass in obese type 2 diabetic patients

To evaluate the effects of low-dose growth hormone (GH) therapy combined with diet restriction on changes in body composition and the consequent change in insulin resistance in newly-diagnosed obese type 2 diabetic patients. Double-blind and placebo-controlled trial of 25-kcal/kg IBW diet daily with GH (n=9; rhGH, 0.15 IU/kg body weight/week) or placebo (n=9) for 12 weeks. Eighteen newly-diagnosed obese type 2 diabetic patients (age 42--56 y, body mass index 28.1+/-2.7 kg/m(2)). Body composition and fat distribution parameters (by bioelectrical impedance analyzer and CT scans), serum IGF-1; serum glucose, insulin and free fatty acid (FFA) during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT); HbA(1c); serum lipid profiles; and glucose disposal rate (GDR) by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp at baseline and after treatment. The fraction of body weight lost as fat lost was significantly greater (0.98+/-0.39 vs 0.52+/-0.32 kg/kg, P