Human growth hormone to the treatment of the wasting syndrome of HIV/AIDS

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring polypeptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and is essential for body growth. Daily secretion of HGH increases throughout childhood, peaking during adolescence, and steadily declining thereafter. In 1985, synthetic HGH was developed and approved by the FDA for specific uses. However, it is commonly abused by athletes, bodybuilders, and aging adults for its ability increase muscle mass and decrease body fat, as well as its purported potential to improve athletic performance and reverse the effects of aging.

Several FDA-approved injectable HGH preparations are available by prescription from a supervising physician for clearly and narrowly defined indications. In children, HGH is approved for the treatment of poor growth due to Turner’s syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and chronic renal insufficiency, HGH insufficiency/deficiency, for children born small for gestational age, and for idiopathic short stature. Accepted medical uses in adults include but are not limited to the treatment of the wasting syndrome of HIV/AIDS and HGH deficiency. Dependent on the clinical presentation, pediatric dosages range from 24-100 microgram/kilogram/day and adult dosages from 0.9-25 microgram/kilogram/day, dependent on product. The FDA-approved injectable formulations are available as liquid preparations, or as powder with a diluent for reconstitution.

Using recombinant DNA technology, two forms of synthetic HGH were developed, Somatropin and Somatrem. Somatropin is identical to the endogenous pituitary-derived HGH, whereas Somatrem has an extra amino acid on the N-terminus. Both synthetic forms have similar biological actions and potencies as the endogenous HGH polypeptide. Synthetic HGH also is chemically indistinguishable from the naturally occurring hormone in blood and urine tests.

HGH binds to growth hormone receptors present on cells throughout the body. HGH functions to regulate body composition, fluid homeostasis, glucose and lipid metabolism, skeletal muscle and bone growth, and possibly cardiac functioning. Sleep, exercise, and stress all increase the secretion of HGH.

The use of HGH is associated with several adverse effects including edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, and abnormal skin sensations (e.g., numbness and tingling). It may also increase the growth of preexisting malignant cells, and increase the possibility of developing diabetes.

HGH is administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The circulating half-life of HGH is relatively short half-life (20-30 minutes), while its biological half-life is much longer (9-17 hours) due to its indirect effects.

Human growth hormone is illicitly used as an anti-aging agent, to improve athletic performance, and for bodybuilding purposes. It is marketed, distributed, and illegally prescribed off-label to aging adults to replenish declining hGH levels and reverse age-related bodily deterioration. It is also abused for its ability to alter body composition by reducing body fat and increasing skeletal muscle mass. It is often used in combination with other performance enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids. Athletes also use it to improve their athletic performance, although the ability of HGH to increase athletic performance is debatable.

Athletes, bodybuilders, and aging adults are the primary abusers of HGH. Because the illicit use of synthetic HGH is difficult to detect, its use in sports is believed to be widespread. Over the past few years, numerous professional athletes have admitted to using HGH. Bodybuilders, as well as celebrities also purportedly use it for its ability to alter body composition. Aging adults looking to reverse the effects of aging are increasingly using synthetic HGH.