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Growth hormone. A paracrine growth factor?
1Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. sharvey@physio.med.ualberta.ca
Endocrine
|July 10, 1998
Summary
Certain tissues act as independent centers for growth hormone (GH) regulation, production, and action. This local activity complements, but does not replace, the established hypothalamo-pituitary axis endocrine system.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- The hypothalamo-pituitary axis is the traditional model for growth hormone (GH) regulation.
- Emerging evidence suggests localized GH systems within various tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for self-contained growth hormone (GH) regulation, production, and action in peripheral tissues.
- To understand how local GH systems interact with the central hypothalamo-pituitary axis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on GH and GH-releasing factors in various tissues.
- Analysis of studies examining local GH production and action.
- Comparative analysis of central vs. peripheral GH regulation.
Main Results:
- Multiple tissues, including the brain, pituitary, immune system, placenta, mammary gland, and testis, show evidence of independent GH regulation, production, and action.
- Local GH production and GH-releasing factors outside the central axis are significant.
- These peripheral systems complement, rather than substitute, the established endocrine pathways.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral tissues possess intrinsic capabilities for GH regulation, production, and action.
- Local GH systems represent a crucial addition to the understanding of systemic GH physiology.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the full implications of these localized GH networks.