Growth Hormone and Related Drugs

Flashcards about Growth Hormone (GH), Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Related Drugs.

What is Growth Hormone (GH)?

A peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that plays a critical role in growth and metabolism.

What are the physiological roles of Growth Hormone (GH)?

Stimulates growth of bones and soft tissues, enhances protein synthesis, promotes lipolysis, and affects carbohydrate metabolism.

What are the hypothalamic hormones that control GH secretion?

Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and Somatostatin.

What are the effects of GH Deficiency?

Short stature in children and reduced muscle mass, increased fat mass, and diminished quality of life in adults.

What are the effects of GH Excess?

Gigantism in children and Acromegaly in adults.

What is rhGH?

Recombinant human growth hormone.

Give some examples of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (rhGH).

Somatropin, Somatrem, and Somapacitan

How do recombinant human growth hormones act?

Binding to growth hormone receptors on target cells, and triggering biological processes that promote skeletal growth, muscle development, and protein synthesis.

What are the indications for recombinant human growth hormones?

Pediatric and adult GH deficiency, Turner syndrome, Pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD), Prader-Willi syndrome, HIV-associated wasting/cachexia, and Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS).

What is Pegvisomant?

Genetically modified GH analog that binds GH receptors without activating them, blocking endogenous GH action.

What is Pegvisomant indicated for?

Acromegaly, especially in patients unresponsive to surgery or somatostatin analogs.

What are some examples of somatostatin analogs?

Octreotide, Lanreotide, and Pasireotide.

What is the mechanism of action of somatostatin analogs?

Binding to somatostatin receptors to inhibit GH release from pituitary somatotrophs cells.

What are the indications for somatostatin analogs?

Acromegaly, GH-secreting pituitary adenomas, and Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

What is Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH)?

A hypothalamic peptide that binds to GHRH receptors on anterior pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating GH synthesis and secretion.

Name some GHRH analogs.

Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, and Macimorelin.

What is sermorelin used for?

Used diagnostically and occasionally for pediatric GHD.

What is tesamorelin used for?

Reduces visceral adiposity in HIV-related lipodystrophy.

What is macimorelin used for?

A ghrelin receptor agonist used for the diagnosis of adult GHD.

What is the clinical use of GHRH antagonists?

Currently not in clinical use but under investigational use in GH-dependent tumors.

What are some adverse effects of GH and GHRH-related drugs?

Edema, joint pain, insulin resistance, and increased risk of malignancy.

Is non-medical use of GH and GHRH-related drugs for performance enhancement legal?

It is illegal and associated with health risks.

What is the mechanism/action of Somatropin?

GH receptor agonist

What is the clinical use of Somatropin?

GH deficiency, short stature, SBS

What is the mechanism/action of Pegvisomant?

Blocks GH receptor

What is the clinical use of Pegvisomant?

Acromegaly

What is the mechanism/action of Tesamorelin?

Stimulates GH release

What is the clinical use of Tesamorelin?

HIV-associated lipodystrophy

What is the mechanism/action of Octreotide?

Inhibits GH secretion

What is the clinical use of Octreotide?

Acromegaly, pituitary adenomas

What is the mechanism/action of Lanreotide?

Inhibits GH secretion

What is the clinical use of Lanreotide?

Acromegaly, neuroendocrine tumors

What is the mechanism/action of Pasireotide?

Inhibits GH secretion

What is the clinical use of Pasireotide?

Acromegaly, Cushing’s disease

What are the effects of GH in adults?

Increases lean muscle mass and reduces adipose tissue.