Impediments to the successful use of anabolic agents in clinical care

Growth factors represent one of the next important steps in providing effic ient and effective nutrition to catabolic patients. However, several issues will need to be addressed in order to optimize their use. These include th e effects of these agents in malnourished patients, the influence of nutrit ional deficiencies on anabolic effects, the effect of inflammation on growt h factor-stimulated protein synthesis, and concerns with safety and cost. A dequate training of physicians and changes in our present approach in carin g for patients may be the greatest obstacles to overcome if full applicatio n of this biotechnology to patient care is to be realized.