Effect of zinc supplementation on growth Hormone Insulin growth factor axis in short Egyptian children with zinc deficiency

摘要

Background The relationship between zinc (Zn) and growth hormone-insulin growth factor (GH-IGF) system and how Zn therapy stimulates growth in children has not been clearly defined in humans. Thus, we aimed to assess GH-IGF axis in short children with Zn deficiency and to investigate the effect of Zn supplementation on these parameters. Methods Fifty pre-pubertal Egyptian children with short stature and Zn deficiency were compared to 50 age-, sex-, and pubertal stage- matched controls. All subjects were subjected to history, auxological assessment and measurement of serum Zn, IGF-1, insulin growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3); and basal and stimulated GH before and 3?months after Zn supplementation (50?mg/day). Results After 3?months of Zn supplementation in Zn-deficient patients, there were significant increases in height standard deviation score (SDS, P?=?0.033), serum Zn (P?