Abstract
GRF's are potent stimulators of GH secretion in man. We administered 1 μg/kg GRF 1-44 NH2 to 15 children with documented GH deficiency, ages 4-20 years. 12/15 had a measurable GH response. Following discontinuation of GH therapy for at least 2 months, 2 responders and 1 nonresponder then received 1 μg/kg GRF IV q 3 h for 10-12 d. Short-term growth was assessed by the lower leg measurement technique of Valk et al. (Growth 47:53, 1983). GH was measured q 20 min for 12 h on the 1st, and 5th or 7th days of multiple-dose therapy and for the first 12 hours off GRF. Somatomedin-C (SmC) levels were drawn daily. Baseline GH levels were <0.7 ng/ml. In the 2 responders, mean peak GH response to GRF increased, SmC rose, and lower leg growth velocity (GV) accelerated (Table). GH levels returned to baseline after GRF was stopped. The third patient had no hormonal or growth response.
Thus most children with GH deficiency respond to GRF, and multiple doses of GRF can accelerate short-term linear growth. GRF may form the basis for an alternative treatment of GH deficiency.
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Gelato, M., Ross, J., Pescovitz, O. et al. ACCELERATION OF LINEAR GROWTH AFTER REPEATED DOSES OF GROWTH HORMONE-RELEASING FACTOR (GRF). Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 167 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00446
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00446