title: A comparative study of growth hormone (GH) and GH-releasing hormone(1-29)-NH2 for stimulation of growth in children with GH deficiency.
abstract: In this study, 60 patients with proven growth hormone deficiency (GHD) of hypothalamic origin were randomized into three equal groups, and received growth hormone-releasing hormone(1-29)-NH2 (GHRH(1-29)-NH2), 30 or 60 micrograms/kg/day, or growth hormone (GH), 0.1 IU/kg/day, for 6 months. There were no significant differences in growth between the two groups given GHRH(1-29)-NH2, but growth in the GH group was significantly better than in the other two groups (p < 0.01). Mean height velocities at 6 months were 9.2, 9.3 and 14.6 cm/year for the three groups, respectively. Plasma GHRH concentrations increased steadily over the 6-month treatment period, with higher levels in the group on the higher dose. During GHRH(1-29)-NH2 treatment, serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I rose initially, but then fell to values similar to those before treatment. No GH antibodies were detected, but all 20 patients on high-dose GHRH(1-29)-NH2 and 19 of 20 patients on low-dose GHRH(1-29)-NH2 developed GHRH antibodies. These had almost disappeared by 9 months after stopping treatment. There was no correlation between antibody titres and increase in height. No serious side-effects were seen, but three patients receiving GHRH(1-29)-NH2 reported mild irritation at the injection site. These results from the continuous infusion of GHRH(1-29)-NH2 over 6 months suggest that this treatment, or the related use of a depot preparation, is unlikely to be as effective as GH for the promotion of growth in GHD.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, China.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yei
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: X H
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gunnarsson
mesh_terms: D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D017337:Sermorelin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017337:Sermorelin; D013006:Growth Hormone