Test findings on eight female osteoporosis patients have revealed that the
human growth hormone (GH) increases both muscle strength and body mass, while
reducing the gain of abdominal fat.
The GH treatment caused a rapid increase in the serum levels of IGF-I of the
subjects aged 68 to 75 years within two weeks. IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3)
was sustained throughout the study.
Bone formation and assimilation both increased up to 24 weeks of GH
treatment. Bone formation remained high during the treatment while bone
assimilation tended to return to initial levels after 24 weeks of GH therapy.
An increase in hand grip and a decrease in waist/hip ratio was noted after 48
weeks of treatment. The bone mineral density (BMD) was continued to be monitored
after the therapy was stopped for 48 weeks. Significant increases in mid-radius
and lumbar spine BMD (8.1 and 3.8 per cent above pretreatment values
respectively) were shown. Side effects include mild swelling and joint pain.
The Clinical Endocrinology, (1999, Vol 51, Iss 6, pp 715-724) explained
that the secretion rates of both BMD and GH decline during normal human aging.
Information provided is courtesy of and compiled by the Academy of Anti-Aging
Research staff, editors, and other reports.
