Growth Hormone and Secretagogues: Impact on Bone Health Explored

The growth hormone (GH) / insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis is a fundamental regulator, not only for linear body growth during childhood but also as a major determinant of adult bone mass. While GH treatment has shown efficacy in increasing bone mass in rodents and GH-deficient adult humans, its effect on bone mass in otherwise healthy humans has not been consistently impressive. This review specifically addresses the knowledge gap regarding the potential of novel GH secretagogues (GHSs) to affect bone mass in adult humans, a benefit not yet conclusively demonstrated.

The review confirms that the GH / IGF-1 axis is a primary determinant of adult bone mass. Studies consistently show that GH treatment significantly increases bone mass in rodents and in GH-deficient adult humans. However, the impact of GH treatment on bone mass in otherwise healthy humans has been described as 'not impressive' in existing literature. A new class of GH secretagogues (GHSs) has emerged, demonstrating promising effects: > GHS treatment affects biochemical markers of bone turnover in humans and increases growth velocity in selected short children, regardless of their GH deficiency status. Furthermore, GHS treatment was found to increase bone mineral content in rodents, indicating a positive effect on bone density in animal models.