Intranasal administration of the GHRP hexarelin accelerates growth in short children.
OBJECTIVE
Hexarelin is a recently synthesized small growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP) (His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys- NH2). It is active by intravenous, oral and intranasal administration in animals and man. The aim of this study was to find out whether long-term administration of this peptide would promote growth in short children.


METHODS
Intranasal hexarelin was administered in a dose of 60 micrograms/kg thrice daily to 8 prepubertal short children aged 4-11.6 years for periods of up to 8 months.


RESULTS
Hexarelin treatment stimulated insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) secretion raising the level from 10.4 +/- 3.9 (SD) to 14.1 +/- 4.6 nmol/l (P < 0.004). The rise in IGF-I led to a significant increase in the mean (+/- SD) linear growth velocity from 5.3 +/- 0.8 to 8.3 +/- 1.7 cm/year (P < 0.0001). There was also a significant decrease in skinfold thickness despite increase in body weight and an increase in head circumference. Additional findings were a rise in serum phosphate from 1.5 +/- 0.1 to 1.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/l (P < 0.004) and of alkaline phosphatase from 219 +/- 74 to 261 +/- 75 U/l (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term GH/IGF-I stimulating, anabolic and growth promoting effects achieved by intranasal administration of this hexapeptide, seemingly without undesirable side-effects, suggests clinical potential for this new class of drugs.
Laron
Z
Z
Endocrinology and Diabetes Research Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Frenkel
J
J
Deghenghi
R
R
Anin
S
S
Klinger
B
B
Silbergeld
A
A
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006728:Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D006133:Growth Substances; D006728:Hormones; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010710:Phosphates; C086184:hexarelin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase