# Effect of rhGH treatment on lipidome and brown fat activity in prepuberal small for gestational age children: a pilot study

## TL;DR

This pilot study explores how rhGH treatment affects lipid levels and brown fat activity in children born small for gestational age.

## Contribution

The study is the first to investigate rhGH's impact on the lipidome and brown adipose tissue in SGA children.

## Key findings

- rhGH treatment increased free fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids to levels near those of healthy controls.
- rhGH reduced leptin, METRNL, and MCP1 levels, suggesting metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Changes in lipid species like 1a,1b-dihomo-PGJ2 and adrenic acid hint at potential aging markers.

## Abstract

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy is the primary treatment for children born small for gestational age (SGA) who fail to show spontaneous catch-up growth by two or four years. While its effects on white adipose tissue are well-documented, this pilot study aimed to investigate its impact on the lipidome and the thermogenic and endocrine activities of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in SGA children following rhGH treatment. The study involved 11 SGA children divided into two groups: (a) SGA children who were not treated with rhGH (n = 4) and (b) SGA children who received rhGH treatment with Saizen® (n = 7). This second group of seven SGA children was followed for 12 months after initiating rhGH treatment. Interventions included 12-hour fasting blood extraction and infrared thermography at baseline and 3 and 12 months post-treatment. Five appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) children served as controls. Exclusion criteria included endocrinological, genetic, or chronic diseases. Untargeted lipidomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and serum biomarker levels were measured using ELISA assays. Serum lipidomic analysis revealed that free fatty acids (FFAs) increased to levels close to those of the AGA group after three months of rhGH administration, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, correlating with reduced leptin levels. Elevated levels of 1a,1b-dihomo-PGJ2 and adrenic acid suggested potential aging markers. rhGH treatment also significantly reduced meteorin-like (METRNL) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) serum levels to control levels. rhGH influences the serum lipidome, promoting changes in maturation and metabolism. Further research is required to clarify the direct effects of rhGH on specific lipid species and batokines, potentially addressing metabolic disturbances linked to obesity and aging.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-89546-4.