Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27]growth hormone-releasing hormone-(1-29)-NH2 in age-advanced men and women

What Was Tested

This randomized controlled trial paper looks at Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over) and GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone).

Attenuation of the GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis in aging may be responsible for changes in body composition and metabolism.

This relationship has been confirmed by studies of recombinant human GH replacement in aging men and women, but the adverse effects encountered limit its clinical utility.

Who Took Part

The study group was 9 men.

PubMed indexes the participants as middle-aged adults and older adults, both men and women.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a randomized and placebo-controlled study.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over) and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

A placebo (an inactive look-alike) gave the Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over) group a baseline to be compared against.

GH responses to GHRH analog and spontaneous GH pulsatility were assessed.

Serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), IGFBP-3, GH-binding protein (GHBP), lipids, and safety laboratory tests (complete blood count and chemistry profile) were measured in fasting samples (0800-0900 h).

Body composition was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan, and skin thickness was measured at four sites, including the right and left hand and volar forearm, by Harpenden skin calipers.

Insulin sensitivity was assessed by a frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test.

Quality of life parameters, including sleep, were evaluated through self-administered questionnaires.

What Was Measured

Blood pressure, body weight, and fasting insulin and glucose levels were recorded at each visit.

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Aging, Body Composition, Carrier Proteins, Circadian Rhythm, Human Growth Hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized and placebo-controlled study of Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over) and GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone) in 9 men.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 1997 (The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over) compound page and the GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone) compound page, all human trials.