Cañete MD, et al. - In this study with 36 growth hormone deficiency (GHD) children and 38 healthy children, researchers assessed if non-obese prepubertal children with GHD exhibit variations in lipid metabolism and adipokines as well as the short-term impact of growth hormone (GH) treatment on these parameters. According to results, greater baseline levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo B, and soluble endothelial cell activation, but reduced levels of free fatty acids, insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) are seen in children with GHD. Cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Apo B, T-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol, insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin levels were reduced following 6 months of treatment. The changes in levels of HDL-cholesterol and Apo A1 were inversely associated with changes in levels of insulin and HOMA-IR. There was also a correlation between changes in levels of HDL-cholesterol and Apo A1 and changes in levels of adiponectin, while leptin level variations were associated with triglyceride changes. Overall, the authors concluded that altered lipid profiles and levels of adipokine are seen in children with prepubertal non-obese GHD. These variables are improved by replacement therapy with GH.