COSCIENS Biopharma Inc T.CSCI

Obesity and growth hormone deficiency

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The relationship between obesity and growth hormone (GH) dynamics is complex and has significant implications for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Macimorelin, as a diagnostic tool, could be particularly useful in this context due to the following insights:

Impact of Obesity on GH Secretion

1. Blunted GH Responses: Obesity is associated with reduced GH secretion both at baseline and in response to stimulation tests. This blunting can lead to false-positive diagnoses of GHD in obese individuals, as their peak GH levels may not adequately reflect their actual GH status.
2. Altered Body Composition: Obese individuals often exhibit altered body composition, characterized by increased fat mass and decreased lean body mass. These changes are linked to cardiovascular risks and metabolic disturbances, complicating the assessment of GH status.
3. Diagnostic Challenges: Traditional GH stimulation tests may yield misleading results in obese patients. Studies indicate that the GH response to stimulation tests is negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), necessitating the need for more precise diagnostic criteria that account for obesity.

Potential Applications of Macimorelin

1. Improved Diagnostic Accuracy: Macimorelin could help mitigate the diagnostic challenges posed by obesity. As an oral ghrelin agonist, it may provide a more reliable assessment of GH secretion in obese individuals, potentially leading to more accurate diagnoses of GHD.
2. Tailored Diagnostic Protocols: Using macimorelin in conjunction with body composition assessments could refine diagnostic protocols. This approach would allow for a better understanding of GH dynamics in obese patients, potentially leading to adjusted cut-off values for GH deficiency based on body composition metrics rather than BMI alone.
3. Research and Clinical Trials: Further studies are needed to explore the efficacy of macimorelin in diagnosing GHD among obese populations, including pediatric patients. This research could help establish its role in clinical practice and improve the management of GHD in individuals with obesity.

In summary, the integration of macimorelin into diagnostic protocols for GHD in obese individuals holds promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and addressing the unique challenges that obesity presents in assessing GH dynamics.