Effects of growth hormone and its secretagogues on bone

Endocrine. 2001 Feb;14(1):63-6. doi: 10.1385/ENDO:14:1:063.

Abstract

The growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis is not only of importance for linear body growth during childhood, but it is also one of the major determinants of adult bone mass. Studies show that GH treatment increases bone mass in rodents as well as in adult GH-deficient humans, but the effect of GH treatment on bone mass in healthy humans has so far not been impressive. Recently, a new class of GH secretagogues (GHSs) has been developed. In humans, GHS treatment affects biochemical markers of bone turnover and increases growth velocity in selected short children with or without GH deficiency. In rodents, GHS treatment increase bone mineral content, but it has not yet been shown that GHS treatment can affect bone mass in adult humans.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Bone Development / drug effects
  • Bone Remodeling / drug effects*
  • Bone Resorption / physiopathology
  • Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects
  • Ghrelin
  • Growth Hormone / deficiency
  • Growth Hormone / pharmacology*
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / pharmacology*
  • Hormones / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Organ Size
  • Peptide Hormones*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Spiro Compounds / pharmacology

Substances

  • Ghrelin
  • Hormones
  • Indoles
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptide Hormones
  • Peptides
  • Spiro Compounds
  • hexarelin
  • Growth Hormone
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone
  • ibutamoren mesylate