Growth hormone in disease and treatment (Review)

Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland, which regulates growth and development. Abnormal levels of GH have been associated with a diverse variety of disorders affecting life quality and longevity; including dwarfism, acromegaly, gigantism and cancer. Based on the fact that growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin exert opposing effects on the regulation of GH, GHRH antagonists (GHRHAnts) and synthetic somatostatin analogs (SSAs) have been developed to alleviate GH-related illness. The present study provides information on the multifaceted role of GH in human health and disease. Furthermore, it summarizes recent findings on the protective effects of GHRHAnts and FDA-approved SSAs, such as octreotide, lanreotide and pasireotide, in GH-related and endothelium-dependent dysfunctions. Based on the provided bibliography, an emerging body of evidence suggests that GH modulators may represent a promising therapeutic possibility towards blood brain barrier dysregulation, keratitis, direct and indirect lung injury, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.