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Subcutaneous treatment with growth hormone-releasing hormone for short stature
M Hernández1, J Fragoso, R Barrio
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) therapy accelerated growth velocity in children with short stature but normal growth hormone (GH) secretion. GRF treatment improved growth rates without altering GH secretion or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Growth Hormone Therapy
Background:
- Short stature in children can be due to various factors, including normal variants and conditions affecting growth hormone (GH) secretion.
- Growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) stimulates GH release from the pituitary gland, offering a potential therapeutic target for growth disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of growth hormone-releasing factor (1-29)NH2 (GRF) in accelerating growth rate in children with short stature and normal GH secretion.
- To assess the impact of GRF therapy on plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels and 24-hour GH secretion profiles.
Main Methods:
- 11 children with short stature and normal GH secretion received subcutaneous GRF (5 micrograms/kg) daily for 6 months.
- Growth velocity was measured at 3-month intervals.
- 24-hour GH secretory profiles, GH secretory responses to GRF bolus, and plasma IGF-I levels were assessed before, during, and after GRF treatment.
Main Results:
- All patients demonstrated increased growth velocities during GRF therapy.
- Peak plasma GH levels in response to GRF remained similar before and after treatment.
- No significant differences were observed in 24-hour GH secretory profiles or plasma IGF-I levels at any study interval.
Conclusions:
- GRF administration effectively accelerated growth velocity in children with short stature and normal GH secretion.
- GRF therapy did not significantly alter endogenous GH secretion patterns or IGF-I levels in this cohort.
- GRF represents a viable therapeutic option for enhancing growth in specific pediatric populations without GH deficiency.
Abstract:
In the present study we report the effects of therapy with growth hormone-releasing factor (1-29)NH2 (GRF) on growth rate, plasma levels of insulin growth factor I (IGF-I) and growth hormone (GH) secretion in 11 children who were selected solely on the basis of their short stature and normal GH secretion on standard provocative tests. All children received GRF for 6 months (5 micrograms/kg body weight subcutaneously) each evening. The 24-hour GH secretory profile was studied before and after 6 months of treatment. Simultaneously, GH secretory responses to single intravenous bolus GRF (1.5 micrograms/kg body weight) were also studied before, during, and 6 months off therapy with GRF(1-29)NH2. Plasma levels of IGF-I were measured before, during (1, 2 and 6 months), and after 6 months off therapy with GRF. Statural growth was measured at 3-month intervals. The peak plasma GH level in response to GRF was 56.04 +/- (SD) 24.46 ng/ml before treatment, and similar results were found after therapy. The 24-hour GH secretory profile did not show differences before, during, and after treatment. Comparably, no differences were found in GH pulse frequency, pulse amplitude, pulse height, pulse increment, pulse area and total area before, and 6 months off therapy with GRF. The increments in serum IGF-I achieved were not significantly different at all intervals studied. All patients increased growth velocities (mean +/- SD, cm/year) in response to GRF therapy. Our results demonstrate that GRF administration was effective in accelerating growth velocity in 11 children without GH deficiency.