Subclinical activation of lupus nephritis by recombinant human growth hormone

Byline: Hui-Kim Yap (1), Kah-Yin Loke (1), Belinda Murugasu (1), Bee-Wah Lee (1) Keywords: Key words: Growth hormone; Systemic lupus erythematosus Abstract: The effect of growth hormone (GH) on subclinical disease activity in a 15-year-old boy with previously quiescent lupus nephritis and chronic renal failure is described. Institution of supraphysiological doses of GH resulted in a rise in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, decrease in serum complement, rise in anti-DNA antibody titers, and increase in T-cell activation markers, all of which improved following cessation of GH treatment. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Pediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SG Article note: Received April 3, 1997 received in revised form September 2, 1997 accepted September 3, 1997