title: Physical effects of short-term recombinant human growth hormone administration in abstinent steroid dependency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) as opposed to cadaver pituitary GH is misused for physical improvement. Six days' rhGH administration, in abstinent anabolic-androgenic steroid dependents, was compared with controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male subjects (n = 48) were randomly divided into two groups: (1): control group (C), n = 24, mean +/- SD, age 32 +/- 11 years, height 1.8 +/- 0.06 m; (2): rhGH-using group (0.058 IU.kg(-1).day(-1)) (GH), n = 24, mean +/- SD, age 32 +/- 9 years, height 1.8 +/- 0.07 m. Physiological measurements included anthropometry, strength, power and peak oxygen uptake (VO(2) peak). Biochemical measurements included haemoglobin, packed cell volume, glucose, sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, thyroid function, testosterone, prolactin, cortisol, GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strength, peak power output and IGF-I significantly increased and total protein, albumin and free tetra-iodothyronine significantly decreased compared to controls (p < 0.05) and within the GH group (p < 0.017). Fat-free mass index and VO(2) peak significantly increased, while body fat and thyroid-stimulating hormone significantly decreased within the GH group (p < 0.017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term rhGH increased strength and power. Of therapeutic value is the possibility that muscle bulk and strength could be increased in patients with muscle-wasting conditions.
authors.affiliation: Health and Exercise Science Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sport and Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, UK. drgraham@glam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Julien S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kicman
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hullin
authors.forename: Non
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004300:Doping in Sports; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013256:Steroids; D019382:Human Growth Hormone