Clinical and experimental effects of growth hormone secretagogues on various organ systems

A new class of growth hormone (GH) secretagogues (GHS) has been developed. In rats, the GHS hexarelin exerts cardioprotective effects. In humans, GHS increase growth velocity in children with short stature/GH deficiency. In a dults, a combined infusion of GH releasing peptide-2 and thyrotropin releas ing hormone increases circulating concentrations of GH as well as that of i nsulin-like growth factor-I. In healthy volunteers, oral GHS administration reverses diet-induced catabolism, and in healthy obese men, oral GHS treat ment increases fat-free mass. However, little is known about the possible d irect effects of GHS and there are few long-term studies. Therefore, it is not yet possible to fully evaluate the use of GHS. Copyright (C) 1999 S. Ka rger AG, Basel.