Regulation of muscle mass by growth hormone and IGF-I

Growth hormone (GH) is widely used as a performance-enhancing drug. One of its best-characterized effects is increasing levels of circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which is primarily of hepatic origin. It also induces synthesis of IGF-I in most non-hepatic tissues. The effects of GH in promoting postnatal body growth are IGF-I dependent, but IGF-I-independent functions are beginning to be elucidated. Although benefits of GH administration have been reported for those who suffer from GH deficiency, there is currently very little evidence to support an anabolic role for supraphysiological levels of systemic GH or IGF-I in skeletal muscle of healthy individuals. There may be other performance-enhancing effects of GH. In contrast, the hypertrophic effects of muscle-specific IGF-I infusion are well documented in animal models and muscle cell culture systems. Studies examining the molecular responses to hypertrophic stimuli in animals and humans frequently cite upregulation of IGF-I messenger RNA or immunoreactivity. The circulatory/systemic (endocrine) and local (autocrine/paracrine) effects of GH and IGF-I may have distinct effects on muscle mass regulation.