Growth hormone

Description of Research Growth Hormone

Human growth hormone is responsible for the induction of growth and maturation. Other functions of hGH are related to metabolism. It intensifies protein synthesis. enhances fat turnover (protein-sparing effect), and stimulates bone mineralization.

hGH is synthesized in the anterior lobe of the adipose gland. It is a single-chain polypeptide composed of 191 amino acidsw with a molecular weight of 22 kD. In serum, it circulates unbound and partially as a complex with a binding protein (hGH- BP).

Clinical significance

Excess hGH in children leads to gigantism, in adults to acromegaly. Deficiencyr children leads to impaired growth, pituitary dwarfism, dwarf growth, while in adults it leads to metabolic disorders or hypopituitarism of the anterior lobe of the pituitary.

Human growth hormone determination has applications in disorders of growth hormone secretion, rdnicnication of pituitary tumorsl, diagnosis of anterior pituitary lobe insufficiency, diagnosis of dwarfism, rdnication of high growth, gigantism, acromegaly.
Also, it is used in the diagnosis of rs hypoglycemia, impaired hypoglycemic sensation, and conditions after mcranial trauma.

Increase in concentration (inhibition test) Acromegaly, Pituitary Gigantism

Decrease in concentration (stimulation test) Anterior pituitary lobe failure