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Intranasal administration of the GHRP hexarelin accelerates growth in short children
Z Laron1, J Frenkel, R Deghenghi
1Endocrinology and Diabetes Research Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Insights
Intranasal hexarelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, significantly increased growth velocity and insulin-like growth factor-I in short children. This peptide shows promise for treating growth disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide GHRP (His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2).
- It demonstrates efficacy via intravenous, oral, and intranasal routes in various subjects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the growth-promoting effects of long-term intranasal hexarelin administration in short children.
- To assess the impact on growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I secretion.
Main Methods:
- Eight prepubertal short children (aged 4-11.6 years) received intranasal hexarelin (60 µg/kg) thrice daily for up to 8 months.
- Growth velocity, IGF-I levels, and body composition parameters were monitored.
Main Results:
- Hexarelin significantly increased insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels (from 10.4 ± 3.9 to 14.1 ± 4.6 nmol/l).
- Linear growth velocity increased significantly (from 5.3 ± 0.8 to 8.3 ± 1.7 cm/year).
- A decrease in skinfold thickness, increase in head circumference, and changes in serum phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were observed.
Conclusions:
- Long-term intranasal hexarelin administration promotes growth in short children by stimulating GH/IGF-I.
- The observed anabolic and growth-promoting effects suggest potential clinical utility for this hexapeptide.
- No significant undesirable side effects were noted, indicating a favorable safety profile.
Objective:
Hexarelin is a recently synthesized small growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP) (His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys- NH2). It is active by intravenous, oral and intranasal administration in animals and man. The aim of this study was to find out whether long-term administration of this peptide would promote growth in short children.
Design And Patients:
Intranasal hexarelin was administered in a dose of 60 micrograms/kg thrice daily to 8 prepubertal short children aged 4-11.6 years for periods of up to 8 months.
Results:
Hexarelin treatment stimulated insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) secretion raising the level from 10.4 +/- 3.9 (SD) to 14.1 +/- 4.6 nmol/l (P < 0.004). The rise in IGF-I led to a significant increase in the mean (+/- SD) linear growth velocity from 5.3 +/- 0.8 to 8.3 +/- 1.7 cm/year (P < 0.0001). There was also a significant decrease in skinfold thickness despite increase in body weight and an increase in head circumference. Additional findings were a rise in serum phosphate from 1.5 +/- 0.1 to 1.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/l (P < 0.004) and of alkaline phosphatase from 219 +/- 74 to 261 +/- 75 U/l (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The long-term GH/IGF-I stimulating, anabolic and growth promoting effects achieved by intranasal administration of this hexapeptide, seemingly without undesirable side-effects, suggests clinical potential for this new class of drugs.