Physical effects of short-term recombinant human growth hormone administration in abstinent steroid dependency.
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.
Graham
Michael R
MR
Health and Exercise Science Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sport and Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, UK. drgraham@glam.ac.uk
Baker
Julien S
JS
Evans
Peter
P
Kicman
Andrew
A
Cowan
David
D
Hullin
David
D
Thomas
Non
N
Davies
Bruce
B
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
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013256:Steroids; D019382:Human Growth Hormone