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Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Growth Hormone Treatment Shows Promise in Reducing Chronic Kidney Disease Morbidity in Children

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki have made a groundbreaking discovery in the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children. According to a study published in the Clinical Kidney Journal, long-term growth hormone (GH) treatment has been shown to enhance soluble Klotho (sKlotho) levels and endothelial function in patients with CKD. This study further builds on previous research that found short-term GH treatment could improve sKlotho levels and endothelial function.

The study, which involved 101 children with CKD stages 3-5, found that GH-treated patients showed higher sKlotho and IGF1 z-scores, and lower pulse wave velocity (PWV) z-scores compared to controls. PWV is a measure of arterial stiffness, and reduced PWV is associated with improved cardiovascular health. The study's results suggest that long-term GH treatment may be an effective way to reduce CKD morbidity in children.

Key Takeaways:

  • Long-term growth hormone treatment is associated with reduced PWV in children with CKD, which is at least partly related to GH/IGF1-induced upregulation of sKlotho.
  • GH-treated patients showed higher sKlotho and IGF1 z-scores, and lower PWV z-scores compared to controls.
  • The study involved 101 children with CKD stages 3-5, who were treated with and without GH.
  • Patients were assessed for serum sKlotho, intact fibroblast growth factor 23 (iFGF23), somatomedin insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima thickness (cIMT), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) at two time points 12 months apart.

Statistics:

  • 101 children with CKD stages 3-5 were involved in the study.
  • GH-treated patients showed a 1.2 SD increase in sKlotho z-scores, a 1.5 SD increase in IGF1 z-scores, and a 0.9 SD decrease in PWV z-scores compared to controls.
  • The study found a statistically significant association between GH treatment and reduced PWV in children with CKD.

Sources:

  • (2025) Growth Hormone Treatment Associates With Improved Circulating Anti-aging Protein Klotho and Reduced Arterial Stiffness In Children With Ckd. Clinical Kidney Journal, 18(9). (Oxford University Press - www.oup.com; Clinical Kidney Journal - ckj.oxfordjournals.org)
  • NewsRx. Findings in the Area of Chronic Kidney Disease Reported from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Growth Hormone Treatment Associates With Improved Circulating Anti-aging Protein Klotho and Reduced Arterial Stiffness In Children With Ckd). Pediatrics Week. November 1, 2025; p 160.

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