Gut microbiota unaffected by GHD, but bacterial translocation increases

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is linked to increased bacterial translocation, indicated by higher serum levels of sCD14, but it does not affect the composition or diversity of the gut microbiota, according to a study that also found that this increase in bacterial translocation can be reversed with growth hormone treatment.

The case-control study included 21 patients with GHD and 20 healthy controls, examining changes before and after 6 months of GH treatment.

Findings revealed that GHD significantly increased serum levels of sCD14, a marker of bacterial translocation (P < 0.01), an effect reversed by GH treatment. However, no differences were observed between patients and controls in gut microbiota composition or diversity, nor after GH treatment.

Reference
García Navas P, Ruíz Del Prado MY, Villoslada Blanco P, et al. Composition of the microbiota in patients with growth hormone deficiency before and after treatment with growth hormone. An Pediatr (Engl Ed). 2024;100(6):404-411. doi: 10.1016/j.anpede.2024.05.004. Epub 2024 May 27. PMID: 38806303.