Growth hormones are becoming a hot topic in the world of medicine and science. Researchers are discovering the numerous benefits of this natural hormone to mankind.

About Growth Hormones

Growth hormone also known as GH is a peptide hormone which stimulates cell and growth reproduction in humans and some animals. It is a 191-amino acid and polypeptide hormone (single chain) synthesized, secreted and stored by somatotroph cells within the BUMPICK anterior pituitary glands lateral wings. The somatotrophin refers to the growth hormone that produced recombinant DNA technology and it is abbreviated rhGH in humans.

Gene Locus

The gene locus for HGH or Human Growth Hormone is known as Growth Hormone 2 and Myles. It is localized in q22-24 area of chromosome 17 and closely related to placental lactogen also called human chorionic somatomammotropin. The growth hormone, prolactin, human chorionic and somatomammotropin are a group of homologous hormones with lactogenic activity and are growth-promoting.

Molecular Structures

The main isoform of the human growth hormone is protein with 191 amino acids and molecular eight of 22 124 daltons. The molecular structure includes 4 helices essential for functional interaction with growth hormone receptors.

The growth hormone is apparently structurally homologous to chorionic somatomammotropin. Primate and human growth hormones have important effects in humans although there are marked structural comparisons between the growth hormone from different species.

Secretion

Numerous molecular isoforms of the growth hormone circulate in plasma. More of the GH in circulation is bound to a protein derived from the receptors and acid labile sub-units.

Growth Hormone Treatment for other conditions

Several conditions besides growth hormone deficiency can cause deprived growth. The GH therapy has shown to develop the short term growth of several conditions but long term height gains are commonly poorly achieved when growth hormone shortage is the cause of shortness.

Poor growth is part of the noonan and numerous other generic syndromes. Kids suffering from slow physical development have been treated with the growth hormone. These are generally injected to facilitate faster growth.

Some kids with various types of bone dysplasia are treated with growth hormones in modest quantities to increase height at a faster rate. No prolonged studies have showed a marked increase neither in the height of adults nor in dwarfism cases because bone dysplasia remains as the main examples of shortness.

Chronic high doses of glucocorticoid being utilized result to reduced muscle strength and mass, diminished bone density, growth failure, skin fragility and increased fat. Growth hormones decrease several of these complications without interfering with the anti-inflammatory benefits of steroid. Unfortunately, they cannot totally reverse or prevent them.

GH is used to remedy some diseases like the following

Turner Syndrome

This syndrome epitomizes the reaction of non-deficient smallness. At doses 20 percent higher than those utilized in growth hormone deficiency, growth goes faster. With continued years of treating it, the median increases the adult height to about 5 to 7 centimeters with this dose. The increase appears to be dose-dependent. It is been utilized successfully in toddlers with turner syndrome.

Chronic renal failure

This failure results in several problems including growth failures. The treatments for numerous years before and after transplantation can prevent advanced retroactive effects of growth.

Celiac disease

This disease can prevent kids from reaching their anticipated growth potential. Stunted growth can be a result of this disease destroying the intestines and preventing proper nutrient amalgamation. Treatment involves a gluten free diet. Human growth hormone treatment has been used when attempting to recover lost growth due to celiac disease.