Hormone-replacement Therapy for Hepatopulmonary Syndrome and NASH Associated with Hypopituitarism

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and adult growth hormone deficiency: An under-recognized association?

Growth hormone (GH) plays an essential role not only in promoting growth in children, but also in many important metabolic processes in adults. One of the major metabolic functions of GH is its stimulatory effects on the liver in generating approximately 80% of circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is an established clinical entity defined as a defect in endogenous GH secretion that is frequently associated with central obesity, loss of muscle mass, decreased bone mass, and impaired quality of life. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are conditions that are often under-recognized in adults with GHD, and accordingly some studies have shown that GH and IGF-1 levels are decreased in patients with NAFLD. Furthermore, it has been reported that it can progress to end-stage liver cirrhosis in some adults and children with GHD. Due to their underlying mechanisms of action, GH and IGF-1 can act on hepatocytes, macrophages, and hepatic stellate cells to mitigate progression to steatosis and fibrosis. It is, thus, important to recognize NAFLD/NASH as important complications in adult and childhood GHD. Therefore, careful and thorough evaluation of NAFLD/NASH in adults with GHD and the consideration for GH replacement therapy is crucial in these patients, together with management of other metabolic risk factors, such as obesity and dyslipidemia. This review will focus on recent reports on the role of GH and IGF-1 in the liver and its clinical significance in the regulation of hepatic function.

Current Therapy and Liver Transplantation for Portopulmonary Hypertension in Japan

Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) and hepatopulmonary syndrome are severe pulmonary complications associated with liver cirrhosis (LC) and portal hypertension. Three key pathways, involving endothelin, nitric oxide, and prostacyclin, have been identified in the development and progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). To obtain a good effect with PAH-specific drugs in PoPH patients, it is important to diagnose PoPH at an early stage and promptly initiate therapy. The majority of therapeutic drugs are contraindicated for Child-Pugh grade C LC, and their effects decrease in the severe PAH stage. Among many LC patients, the measurement of serum brain natriuretic peptide levels might be useful for detecting PoPH. Previously, liver transplantation (LT) for PoPH was contraindicated; however, the indications for LT are changing and now take into account how well the PoPH is controlled by therapeutic drugs. In Japan, new registration criteria for deceased-donor LT have been established for PoPH patients. PoPH patients with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure <35 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance <400 dyn/s/cm−5 are indicated for LT, regardless of whether they are using therapeutic drugs. Combined with PAH-specific drugs, LT may lead to excellent long-term outcomes in PoPH patients. We aimed to review current therapies for PoPH, including LT.

Growth hormone ameliorates hepatopulmonary syndrome and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis secondary to hypopituitarism in a child: A case report

BACKGROUND

Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that usually develops in children; however, it is located in the center and close to sensitive structures, such as the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. As the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of anterior pituitary hormone synthesis, damage to the hypothalamus leads to multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, including hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS has limited treatment and poor prognosis.

CASE SUMMARY

A girl aged 13 years and 6 mo underwent surgery for craniopharyngioma 6 years prior. Right craniotomy was performed with total resection via the corpus callosum approach, and the tumor at the base was approximately 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm × 4.0 cm. At 1 year postoperatively, she exhibited abdominal distension and weakness, and the laboratory tests revealed fatty liver disease. Thereafter, she had not visited the outpatient clinic for 2 years. Two years ago, she developed decreased activity endurance, severe cyanosis, chest tightness, wheezing, and intermittent and recurrent low fever after mild physical labor. Hepatobiliary ultrasonography, liver biopsy, and contrast echocardiography of the right heart showed cirrhosis and multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies, indicating HPS. After 1 year of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone, the liver function and oxygenation improved; she did not undergo liver transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Craniopharyngioma surgery can easily cause hypopituitarism, which can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and HPS in children. Early growth hormone therapy is important to improve the prognosis of these diseases.

Metabolic Effects of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy on Juvenile Patients after Craniopharyngioma Resection

Objective: To investigate the effect of short-term recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement therapy on metabolic parameters in juvenile patients following craniopharyngioma (CP) resection. Methods. This retrospective study included 42 cases of juvenile patients that had undergone CP resection in the Department of Endocrinology at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from April 2013 to August 2020. According to whether they received growth hormone replacement therapy, the patients were divided into either the growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) group (30 cases) or the control group (12 cases). Changes in body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, transaminase activity, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, blood lipid profile, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were evaluated after one year of GHRT treatment. Results. The average age of the GHRT group was 13.00 (8.00-14.00) years old and these patients had undergone a CP operation an average of 2.00 (1.62-3.15) years earlier. Prior to receiving GHRT treatment, they received appropriate doses of adrenocortical hormone and thyroid hormone replacement therapy. After one year of GHRT treatment, the average BMI z-score decreased from 1.60 ± 1.76 to 1.13 ± 1.73 (P=0.005). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity decreased from 26.50 (17.00∼98.00) U/L to 18.00 (13.00∼26.48) U/L (P ≤ 0.001), and similar changes were observed with regard to aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity in the GHRT treatment group. The average total cholesterol (TC) decreased from 4.67 (4.10-6.14) mmol/L to 4.32 ± 0.85 mmol/L (P=0.002), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels decreased from 3.05 ± 0.95 mmol/L to 2.56 ± 0.65 mmol/L (P=0.001) in the GHRT treatment group. The average blood urea nitrogen level decreased from 4.53 ± 1.09 mmol/L to 3.92 ± 0.82 mmol/L (P=0.016) and the average serum creatinine (SCr) level decreased from 55.59 ± 12.54 µmol/L to 51.15 ± 10.51 µmol/L (P=0.005) in the GHRT treatment group. The average hsCRP level decreased from 3.23 (1.79∼4.34) mg/L to 0.92 (0.42∼1.21) mg/L in the GHRT treatment group. In the control group, the average ALT activity increased from 26.58 ± 8.75 U/L to 42.58 ± 24.59 U/L (P=0.039), GGT activity increased from 19.0 (13.25-29.25) U/L to 25.00 (14.75-34.75) U/L (P=0.026), and LDL levels increased from 2.27 ± 0.76 mmol/L to 3.43 ± 1.28 mmol/L (P=0.04). Conclusion. GHRT treatment improves the metabolic parameters of juvenile patients that have undergone craniopharyngioma resection by reducing BMI z-scores, low-density lipoprotein, and hsCRP levels and improving liver function.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome as the first and only manifestation of cirrhosis in a patient with hypopituitarism

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterised by the development of intrapulmonary arteriovenous blood shunts and vascular dilatation with consequent hypoxaemia, usually in the context of end-stage liver disease (ESLD). The estimated incidence of HPS in ESLD has been reported to be 13%-47%. Chronic liver disease has been described in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, mainly in the form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease due to metabolic syndrome, with occasional progression to cirrhosis. We report a challenging case of a 27-year-old man with a background of hypopituitarism with no known liver disease who presented with progressive dyspnoea and hypoxaemia and was eventually diagnosed with severe HPS.

Growth hormone cocktail improves hepatopulmonary syndrome secondary to hypopituitarism: A case report

BACKGROUND

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease frequently occurs in patients with hypopituitarism and growth hormone (GH) deficiency. Some patients may develop to hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS has a poor prognosis and liver transplantation is regarded as the only approach to cure it.

CASE SUMMARY

A 29-year-old man presented with progressive dyspnea for 1 mo. At the age of 10 years, he was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism associated with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome. Levothyroxine and hydrocortisone were given since then. To achieve ideal height, he received GH treatment for 5 years. The patient had an oxygen saturation of 78% and a partial pressure of arterial oxygen of 37 mmHg with an alveolar–arterial oxygen gradient of 70.2 mmHg. Abdominal ultrasonography showed liver cirrhosis and an enlarged spleen. Perfusion lung scan demonstrated intrapulmonary arteriovenous right-to-left shunt. HPS (very severe) was our primary consideration. His hormonal evaluation revealed GH deficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism when thyroid hormone, cortisol, and desmopressin were administrated. After adding with long-acting recombinant human GH and testosterone for 14 mo, his liver function and hypoxemia were improved and his progressive liver fibrosis was stabilized. He was off the waiting list of liver transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should screen HPS patients' anterior pituitary function as early as possible and treat them primarily with GH cocktail accordingly.

Characteristics of NAFLD Based on Hypopituitarism

BACKGROUND

Hypopituitarism and hypothalamic disorders, which induce central obesity and appetite disorder, are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical features of NAFLD patients with hypopituitarism. Patients. We examined the cases of 15 NAFLD patients with hypopituitarism (mean age, 39.4 years; males/females, 11/4). The causes of hypopituitarism were surgical in eight cases (six with craniopharyngioma and two with prolactinoma) and nonsurgical in seven cases, including unexplained hypopituitarism in five cases, Sheehan syndrome in one case, and one case that occurred after the radiation therapy. Serum adiponectin, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 (TNFR-2), and leptin levels were measured.

RESULTS

We compared the cases of the eight patients who underwent cranial surgery due to craniopharyngioma or prolactinoma and seven nonsurgical cases. The body mass index (surgery group, 30.2 ± 4.1; nonsurgery group, 29.2 ± 14.2) and the rate of diabetes (75% in surgery group, 14.3% in nonsurgery group) tended to be higher in the surgery group, and the hepatic fibrosis grade (surgery group, 3.75 ± 0.38; nonsurgery group, 1.64 ± 1.07) was significantly higher in the surgery group. The levels of adipocytokines, serum adiponectin, and serum soluble TNFR-2 showed no correlation with hepatic fibrosis, whereas the serum leptin levels were significantly correlated with liver fibrosis (R = 0.696).

CONCLUSION

The hepatic fibrosis grade rapidly progressed in the cranial surgery cases of NAFLD patients with hypopituitarism, possibly in association with BMI, diabetes mellitus, and leptin. In such cranial surgery patients, strong interventions should be considered from the early stage, including diet education, hormone replacement, and more.