-
Views
-
Cite
Cite
Mark A. Sperling, Long-Term Therapy with Growth Hormone: Bringing Sagacity to SAGHE, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 97, Issue 1, 1 January 2012, Pages 81–83, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2011-3271
Close - Share Icon Share
Extract
GH is an anterior pituitary protein secreted by somatotrophs under complex neural, hormonal, and metabolic control (1). So named because of its remarkable effects on growth when in excess (gigantism-acromegaly) or deficient (dwarfism), the hormone also has profound metabolic actions, antagonizing insulin action, promoting lipolysis in fat, and augmenting protein synthesis. These actions facilitate the integration of growth with metabolism but may have deleterious effects when in excess, including the unmasking of diabetes and diabetic complications such as retinopathy and atherosclerosis (2). Moreover, the term “growth” encompasses and envisions both normal and aberrant growth as occurs in neoplasia. Whereas deficiency of GH signaling pathways in diverse organisms such as yeast, mice, and man extends life span and decreases cancer (3), circumstantial and in vitro evidence suggests a role for IGF-I in inducing cancer in man (4). These considerations guide the ethical use of GH therapy for a variety of disorders in childhood characterized by short stature; concerns that GH may have deleterious effects that outweigh benefits surface periodically (5).
