GROWTH-HORMONE THERAPY IN ELDERLY PEOPLE - AN AGE-DELAYING DRUG

The aims of this review are to present a brief overview of growth horm one (GH) physiology and to summarize the studies of GH treatment in ad ults. Special attention has been paid to randomized controlled trials. Studies have revealed a partial deficiency-of GH secretion in the eld erly. GH secretion on the average declines by 14% with each decade in normal adults after 20 years of age. Aging has a central effect on the GH secretion and peripheric effect on insulin-like growth factor 1 (I GF-1) through changes in the body composition. GH administration may a ttenuate several important decrements in body composition and in funct ion associated with aging. GH may also have very potent anabolic effec ts in surgical situations. Short-term side-effects of GH therapy inclu de edema, carpal tunnel syndrome and arthralgia. A number of agents su ch as oral GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) increase GH secretion; they m ay be an alternative to GH treatment in the future. Further studies of GH replacement are needed, examining issues such as dosage, tolerance and efficacy before the widespread use of GH in the elderly is advoca ted.