Yamasaki H, Douchi T, Yamamoto S, Oki T, Kuwahata R, Nagata Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Mar;97(3):338-42. doi: 10.1016/s0029-7844(00)01181-9.
To identify the effects of GnRH agonist therapy on body composition (lean and fat mass components) and body fat distribution.
Fifteen women with uterine leiomyomas were given a GnRH agonist (leuprorelin acetate, 3.75 mg) monthly for 4 months. Weight, height, and body mass index (BMI, weight/height) were recorded. Regional and total body composition, trunk-leg fat ratio, bone mineral density of the lumbar spine (L2-L4), and total body were assessed by whole-body scanning with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry before and after treatment. Uterine volume was measured by transabdominal ultrasonography.
The mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) lean mass of total body, trunk, and leg decreased significantly (36.3 +/- 4.9 to 35.4 +/- 4.4 kg, P <.01; 18.8 +/- 2.8 to 18.1 +/- 2.8 kg, P <.05; and 11.4 +/- 1.8 to 11.1 +/- 1.6 kg, P <.05; respectively), whereas body fat mass, percentage of body fat, and trunk fat mass increased significantly (20.8 +/- 4.8 to 21.8 +/- 4.6 kg, P <.01; 34.9 +/- 5.9 to 36.5 +/- 5.2%, P <.01; and 8.6 +/- 3.0 to 9.3 +/- 3.0 kg, P <.01; respectively). Trunk-leg fat ratio increased significantly (1.03 +/- 0.32 to 1.12 +/- 0.33, P <.05). Weight, BMI, arm tissue composition (lean and fat mass components), and leg fat mass did not change during 4 months of GnRH agonist therapy. Bone mineral density and uterine volume decreased significantly.
Hypogonadism by GnRH agonist therapy induces lean mass loss, increased adiposity overall, and upper body fat accumulation.
