Endocrine Abstracts

Purpose of the study: To determine the gender differences in growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in patients with somatotropic pituitary adenomas after radiation therapy (RT).

Materials and research methods: The object of the study is 94 patients with acromegaly receiving RT in a total dose of 45–50 gray. Of these, 26 (27.7%) are men and 68 (72.3%) are women. The peak manifestation of acromegaly in the total sample was in the most able-bodied age for men and women (30–44 years old). Conducted hormonal, visualization, ophthalmologic, general clinical research.

Results: The level of GH before RT was increased in men 55 (37.6–81.3) mMe/l and in women 59.3 (43.3–110) mMe/l. After RT, the level of GH in men in 15.4% (P < 0.01) of cases is not suppressed, not completely suppressed in 34.6% (P < 0.05), reached remission of 50% (P = 0.001) and amounted to 11 (4.15–15.3) mMe/l. In women, 22.1% (P < .05), 17.7% (P < 0.01) and 60.3% (P = 0.001), respectively, and averaged 5.8 (2.4–15.3 ) mMe/l. Prior to RT, IGF-1 levels in men were 767 (619–962) ng/ml and in women 784 (678–1113) ng/ml. The levels of IGF-1 after RT in men were not suppressed in 46.2% (P < 0.01), suppressed to age norms in 53.9% (P < 0.001) and averaged 257 (200–299) ng/ml, in women, in 39.7% (P < 0.05) and 60.3% (P < 0.001), respectively, it amounted to 207 (181–308) ng/ml.

Conclusion: Thus, despite the high levels of GH and IGF-1 before RT in women than in men, women achieved remission more often and had lower levels of IGF-1 and GH compared with men.