The effects of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone on body composition and metabolism in adults with growth hormone deficiency

Article Abstract:

Growth hormone (GH) is normally produced by the pituitary gland. GH induces the synthesis of proteins, increases the breakdown of fats for energy and decreases the use of carbohydrates in the body. GH induces skeletal growth in children but not in adults. After surgery to remove pituitary tumors, patients are treated with various hormones that the pituitary gland controls the production of, such as thyroid, adrenal and gonadal hormones. However, the patients still do not generally feel well. Replacement of growth hormone is now possible, as it is available in large quantities because it is produced artificially. In this study, 24 adults with growth hormone deficiency as a consequence of surgery for pituitary tumors were treated for six months with human recombinant growth hormone (rhGH). No increase in overall body weight occurred after treatment, although a change in body composition was noted. The average lean body mass, of which muscle is the major component, increased by approximately 5.5 kilograms or 12 pounds and the fat mass decreased by approximately 5.7 kilograms. GH is known to metabolize fat, and thus increase the metabolic rate of the body. The basal metabolic rate of the patients in the study increased significantly over the six-month treatment period. Cholesterol levels were lower in the group given the hormone but triglycerides were the same in both the treated and untreated groups. Treatment of deficient adults with growth hormone has a positive effect on the composition of their bodies, with an increase in lean muscle mass and decrease in fat and cholesterol.

Research, Surgery, Energy metabolism, Pituitary gland

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New therapeutic approaches to Crohn's disease

Article Abstract:

Doctors continue to try new treatments for Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. Patients can go into remission, and the goal at that point is to maintain remission. Two treatments were reported in 2000: long-term methotrexate and growth hormone. Methotrexate is used in the short-term to help patients go into remission, but has not been used to maintain remission. Long-term use could cause side effects. The long-term effects of growth hormone are also not known.

Care and treatment, Editorial, Methotrexate

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A preliminary study of growth hormone therapy for Crohn's disease

Article Abstract:

Growth hormone (somatropin) treatment may be beneficial to patients with Crohn's disease. In 19 patients out of a total of 37, somatropin treatment for four months significantly decreased Crohn's Disease Activity Index as compared with the placebo group.

United States, Statistical Data Included, Drug therapy

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