THE ROLE OF GROWTH-HORMONE IN THE REGULATION OF BODY-COMPOSITION IN THE ADULT

Despite early evidence from studies performed soon after its discovery , the role of human growth hormone (GH) in metabolic processes during adulthood has, until recently, been largely ignored. The importance of GH in the regulation of body composition in the adult is clearly demo nstrated by the abnormalities seen in 'nature's experiments), i.e. acr omegaly and GH deficiency. Body composition has been shown to change f avourably following successful treatment of acromegaly. Formal replace ment studies in adult GH-deficient patients, made possible by the rece nt advent of recombinant GH, have also shown dramatic changes in body composition, with increases in lean body mass and reductions in fat ma ss towards normality and associated improvements in physical performan ce. Thus, adult GH deficiency, like acromegaly, has become widely acce pted as a distinct clinical entity warranting treatment.