[Growth hormone and its significance beyond growth. Current aspects of the effects of this model anabolic hormone].
Somatotropin is an anabolic hormone with an essential and pivotal regulatory function not only in the growing organism. Its actions are anabolic, carbohydrate-conserving, i.e. hyperglycemic and lipolytic. They are only in part direct. Important general and local mediators are local and circulating growth factors, in particular IGF 1 or somatomedin C. The production of the latter is somatotropin-dependent. They also explain the unexpected effects of the "growth"-hormone on the skeleton of the adult, the modifications in body composition and effects on the gonads etc. Endogenous regulation of somatotropin secretion is very intricate. Since its secretion occurs in bursts, plasmatic concentrations vary widely. Study of somatotropin secretion depends thus on tests after stimuli or suppressive maneuvers or more recently by determinations in urine. Values for the induced IGF 1 in the blood appear to be steadier and are useful for screening mainly for conditions of excessive somatotropin secretion. The availability of unlimited biosynthetic somatotropin has promoted its potential usefulness for short term anabolic treatments in the postoperative phase, for major burns and injuries or in glucocorticoid treatment. The established use is however still in children with growth retardation due to partial somatotropin deficiency.
Girard
J
J
Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Endokrinologie, Praxis und Hormonlabor, Basel.
D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone