Synthesis and conformational study of a cyclic hexapeptide analogue of somatostatin: cyclo(Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-o-AMPA)

The active sequence Phe7-D-Trp8-Lys9-Thr10 of somatostatin has been cyclized through o-(aminomethyl)phenylacetic acid, a spacer molecule, designed to mimic a Gly-Gly dipeptide containing a cis-constrained peptide bond. The resulting analogue shows no GH-inhibition. A 2D n.m.r. study reveals conformations different from the proposed bio-active one and still sensitive to the medium (solvent).

United Kingdom multicentre clinical trial of somatrem

In a multicentre clinical trial 54 children aged 4.0 to 17.3 years, who had growth hormone deficiency that had not previously been treated, were given biosynthetic methionyl growth hormone (somatrem) 4 units three times a week by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection for one year. Height was measured every three months for at least one year before and during treatment. Forty two patients responded to treatment with an increase in growth of greater than 1.5 cm/year. The remaining 12 who grew more slowly were less obviously short and had a higher pretreatment growth than those who responded. The three who responded and the one who did not had undergone therapeutic spinal irradiation before starting the drug. If a whole year's pretreatment growth rate of less than 5 cm/year had been used as a diagnostic criterion the prediction of those who responded would have slightly improved. About two thirds of the patients developed antibodies against growth hormone and Escherichia coli protein; these were, however, of low and fluctuating titre and binding capacity, and did not influence the response to treatment. No adverse side effects were encountered. We conclude that somatrem is a safe and effective alternative to pituitary growth hormone.

The effect of intravenous, subcutaneous, and intranasal GH-RH analog, [Nle27]GHRH(1-29)-NH2, on growth hormone secretion in normal men: dose-response relationships

A 29 amino acid analog of growth hormone releasing hormone (GH-RH)-40 was given intravenously, subcutaneously, and intranasally to normal men to determine its effectiveness in stimulating growth hormone (GH) release. The GH-RH analog, [Nle27]GH-RH(1-29)-NH2, is an amidated 29 amino acid peptide that has one amino acid substitution at position 27. This peptide stimulates GH secretion when given by the intravenous, subcutaneous, and intranasal routes without adverse effect. The degree of GH stimulation was variable among subjects and the greatest amount of stimulation occurred with the highest doses. GH stimulation occurred in a dose-responsive manner after all three routes of administration. A tenfold higher subcutaneous dose was required to stimulate a comparable amount of GH secretion as compared with intravenous administration, and a thirtyfold higher intranasal than intravenous dose was required to stimulate approximately one fifth the amount of GH release. For comparison, one dose of GH-RH-40, 1 microgram/kg, was administered intravenously. GH secretion after 1 microgram/kg GH-RH-40 and 1 microgram/kg Nle27 GH-RH was comparable between the two groups of subjects. Stimulation of GH secretion by Nle27 GH-RH occurred within 5 minutes of intravenous and within 10 minutes of subcutaneous and intranasal administration; peak GH levels were observed within 30 minutes. GH levels declined and returned to near baseline levels 2 hours after administration of the analog.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) analogue, hexarelin stimulates GH from peripheral lymphocytes

The role of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) analogue hexarelin was investigated in the regulation of GH production from lymphocytes. Porcine and bovine blood mononuclear cells were separated using density gradient centrifugation method by layering the whole blood or buffy coat cells on lymphodex. Cells were incubated for 3 or 5 days with or without phytohemagglutinin (PHA-M), GHRH, GHRP-6 analogue hexarelin, somatostatin or GHRH + hexarelin. Growth hormone was fractionated from supernatants by gel chromatography and further concentrated by lyophilization at - 20 degrees C. A nearly two fold increase in basal secretion of GH (porcine: 3.5 +/- 0.1 ng/ml, bovine: 3.2 +/- 0.2 ng/ml) was achieved by GHRH and hexarelin at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 nM in both porcine and bovine cells. Lymphocytic GH release was also stimulated in response to PHA-M (10 micro g/well). Neither a dose dependent nor a synergistic nor an additive effect was apparent on GH secretion from lymphocytes. GHRH stimulated lymphocytic GH secretion, whereas, somatostatin had no effect. This study reports for the first time that hexarelin stimulates the secretion of GH from peripheral lymphocytes.

18p- syndrome and hypopituitarism

A patient is described with 18p- syndrome and hypopituitarism. This is the first patient with this syndrome who has been shown to benefit from growth hormone therapy. Patients with this syndrome who have growth deficiency should be considered for evaluation for hypopituitarism, if the quality of their lives would improve with an increase in stature.

Lipolytic and antilipolytic effects of human growth hormone, its 20-kilodalton variant, a reduced and carboxymethylated derivative, and human placental lactogen on chicken adipose tissue in vitro

The lipolytic and antilipolytic effects of human growth hormone (22K-hGH), its 20-kilodalton variant (20K-hGH), a reduced and S-carboxymethylated derivative (RCM-hGH), and human placental lactogen were examined using chicken adipose tissue explants in vitro. Lipolysis, as determined by glycerol release, was stimulated by 22K-hGH (biosynthetic and pituitary derived), 20K-hGH (pituitary derived), and RCM-hGH (modified biosynthetic). These growth hormone preparations also exhibited similar antilipolytic activity (i.e., transient inhibition of glucagon-induced lipolysis). However, unlike human growth hormone, human placental lactogen neither stimulated lipolysis nor inhibited glucagon-stimulated lipolysis. Some augmentation of glucagon-stimulated lipolysis was observed in the presence of human placental lactogen. These results indicate that the disulfide bridges (Cys53----Cys165; Cys182----Cys189) and amino acid residues 32-46 of hGH are not required for lipolytic or antilipolytic activities of human growth hormone on chicken adipose tissue.

Structural characterization of iodinated bovine growth hormone

Bovine growth hormone (bGH) was submitted to iodination using limited amounts of oxidizing reagent, yielding a derivative with no more than 1-g-atom of iodine per mole of hormone. Analysis of the hydrolysis products indicated that monoiodotyrosine was almost the only product of substitution. Isolation and identification of the tryptic fragments showed that half of the 125I-labeled bGH molecules were iodinated in Tyr 174, followed by Tyr 158 (16%) and Tyr 42 (14%). Frontal gel chromatography indicated that the preparation did not contain significant amounts of unreacted bGH. Circular dichroism evidenced structural similarity between the native and the iodinated bGH. The iodinated hormone, like the native protein, undergoes self-association. The dissociation constant of the iodo-labeled bGH self-association equilibrium showed a two-fold increase when compared to that corresponding to the unlabeled hormone. At pH 8.5, where the equilibrium constant was estimated, one tenth of the molecules bear a charged iodotyrosyl residue (average pKapp = 9.3), which could account for part, if not all, of the observed difference regarding self-association. By this criterion, the presence of the iodine atom does not disturb the area engaged in dimer formation.

Short-term met-hGH infusion inhibits somatotroph response to growth hormone releasing hormone (1-44)

To determine whether the short-term administration of growth hormone inhibits pituitary responsiveness to h-GHRH we measured the somatotroph response to h-GHRH-44 (0.3 micrograms/kg) stimulation in ten normal subjects from the third to the fifth hour of an infusion of met-hGH (2 micrograms/kg/h) or saline. Insulin, insulin-like growth factors (IGF), somatomedins, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, and glucose levels also were assessed during the first 3 hours of infusion. Steady-state GH levels of 5 to 20 ng/mL were achieved during met-hGH infusion. No significant changes in IGF, insulin, or glucose levels measured at the beginning and again after three hours of infusion occurred within or between conditions. Infusion of met-hGH was associated with a significantly greater increase in FFA levels (69 +/- 50 mumol/L following saline v 433 +/- 57 mumol/L following three hours of met-hGH infusion (P less than .001)). The somatotroph response to h-GHRH-44 was significantly blunted during met-hGH infusion (incremental area under the GH/time curve decreasing from 1,196 +/- 183 (ng/mL) X min to 380 +/- 139 (ng/mL) X min (P less than .005)). These data demonstrate that this blunting can occur following short-term exogenous GH administration and at serum GH levels comparable to those achieved during naturally occurring bursts of GH secretion. They also suggest that acute mediation of GH release must occur, at least in part, at the pituitary somatotroph level and that IGFs and/or insulin may not be the primary inhibitors. This phenomenon may be directly or indirectly due to GH-dependent metabolic factors such as FFA or glycerol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Visualization of multiple protein bands on the same nitrocellulose membrane by double immunoblotting

A method has been developed which allows the simultaneous immunodetection of more than one type of protein on the same nitrocellulose membrane. This procedure does not require special labeling of samples or elution of antibodies from the membrane as do the alternatives cited in the literature (1,2). Proteins are separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrophoretically transferred to the membrane before specific immunostaining with either peroxidase/4-chloro-1-naphthol or immunogold/silver staining. Antigen identity is visually determined by the formation of different-colored precipitates on the membrane. This innovation in protein blotting offers a savings in time and reagents as well as permitting identification of closely spaced bands with certainty.

Short-term study of biosynthesized hGH in man

Daily injection of 8IU of methionyl human growth hormone (met-hGH), produced by recombinant DNA technology, was performed in healthy young volunteers. Daily injections for four days did not cause any significant change in the results of physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood count or urinalysis. Non-esterified fatty acid levels increased significantly at 4 hours after the first injection of met-hGH in a manner similar to pituitary human growth hormone (pit-hGH). Both hGHs caused a significant increase in serum somatomedin A during the four daily injections. Plasma hGH reached peak levels at 3-4 hours after im injection of met-hGH and 4-6 hours after pit-hGH. The levels were 19.5 +/- 1.6 and 21.3 +/- 2.8 ng/ml, respectively. After iv one bolus administration of 4IU hGH to two volunteers, plasma hGH reached peak levels at 5 minutes at mean levels of 292 ng/ml after met-hGH and 293 ng/ml after pit-hGH. The half life of the two hGHs was 17.2 and 17.1 minutes, respectively, according to the disappearance curve measured after iv administration.

Knemometry as a predictor of response to somatrem in Turner's syndrome

The response of 13 children with Turner's syndrome to somatrem, 2 IU/day, has been determined for a 4-week period of treatment using knemometric measurements, and compared to 6 months of treatment assessed by conventional auxology. In this small series, knemometry was able to predict those children in whom hGH therapy was not beneficial.

Effects of growth hormone antagonists on 3T3-F442A preadipocyte differentiation

We have previously shown that a bovine (b) GH antagonist, bGH-M8, which possesses three amino acid substitutions in its third alpha-helix, inhibits mouse 3T3-F442A preadipocyte differentiation. In the current studies, we used the bGH and human (h) GH analogs with single amino acid substitution, bGH-G119R and hGH-G120R, for determining their biological activity using the preadipocyte differentiation assay. Short-term and long-term GH-inducible events were studied during adipose differentiation, including late marker gene expression (adipocyte protein 2), immediate early gene induction (c-fos), and tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins. The results demonstrated that these GH analogs not only failed to induce these three events, but also antagonized GH induction of c-fos expression and phosphorylation of proteins of apparent molecular mass of 95 kDa. Our present study agrees with the notion that GH must bind to the GH receptor via site one and with a second GH receptor molecule (or with some yet unidentified 'second target') through GH binding site two. This interaction is important for subsequent GH-dependent biological events.

Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of methionyl growth hormone in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of methionyl GH (metGH) were characterized in 20 newly diagnosed GH-deficient children (19 males; 12.9 +/- 3.3 yr old; initial height, 138.8 +/- 16.2 cm; weight, 32.1 +/- 13.1 kg) after the first dose (FD) of metGH and again after 4-5 weeks of multiple dosing (MD). All subjects received a total metGH dose of 0.3 mg/kg.week by sc administration, but were randomized to receive the drug daily (D; n = 12; dose, 0.043 mg/kg) or three times per week (TIW; n = 8; dose, 0.1 mg/kg). After drug administration, repeated blood samples (n = 14) were obtained over a 10-h period. Concentrations of metGH from each sample were determined using a monoclonal antibody radiometric assay (range of linearity, 0.5-40.0 ng/ml; coefficient of variation, less than 4%). Plasma concentration vs. time data were curve fit using a nonlinear weighted least squares algorithm which permitted calculation of the following PK parameters (mean +/- SEM; FD vs. MD group): elimination rate constant (0.23 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.25 +/- 0.04 h-1), absorption rate constant (0.43 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.48 +/- 0.04 h-1), elimination half-life (t1/2; 3.01 vs. 2.77 h), total plasma clearance (CL/F; 0.32 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.09 L/h.kg), and apparent volume of distribution (VDss/F; 2.2 +/- 0.14 vs. 3.15 +/- 0.28 L/kg). Both the CL/F and VDss/F of metGH were significantly greater when data from the entire study population were compared on the basis of FD vs. MD administration. With the exception of a larger VDss/F in subjects who received daily (3.6 +/- 0.4 L/kg) vs. TIW metGH (2.4 +/- 0.2 L/kg), no significant differences were found for the PK parameters between the D and TIW dosing groups. In all subjects, absorption of metGH was slow, with an average time to reach maximum concentration (Tmax) of 4.4 h and an absorption t1/2 that ranged from 1.4-1.8 h. Proportionality was also found between the dose and the area under the plasma concentration vs. time curve, suggesting dose-independent PK of metGH. Our data demonstrate that the PK of metGH after sc administration to children are markedly different from those previously reported in adults and, also, do not vary as a consequence of dosing schedule (i.e. D vs. TIW). The apparent increase in CL/F and VDss/F for met GH with multiple dosing may reflect concentration-dependent changes in plasma binding of the drug or, alternatively, represent the effect of increased body mass on the pharmacokinetics of GH.

Effect of growth hormone treatment on serum creatinine concentration in patients with cystinosis and chronic renal disease

Three patients with nephropathic cystinosis and chronic renal disease, treated since early childhood with orally administered cysteamine, had an accelerated rate of rise of serum creatinine values after receiving recombinant human growth hormone. During 18 to 24 months of growth hormone treatment, each patient had a twofold to fourfold increase in growth velocity. The slope of the plot of reciprocal serum creatinine values versus age for each patient after growth hormone treatment was significantly steeper than the pretreatment slope. Growth hormone treatment had no effect on the rate of change of the uncorrected 24-hour renal creatinine clearance. We conclude that these patients gained body size but failed to compensate for their increased creatinine production with an increase in glomerular filtration rate. The result was an accelerated rate of rise of their serum creatinine values, hastening renal transplantation in one patient and the anticipated need for transplantation in another.

Ethoxyformylation of bovine growth hormone

Reactivity of histidines in bovine growth hormone towards ethoxyformic anhydride was investigated and localization in the molecule of two kinetically distinguishable classes was achieved, a slow class including only histidine residue 169 (k = 0.180 min-1) and a fast one composed of histidines 19 and 21 (k = 0.900 min-1). Total ethoxyformylation of bovine growth hormone brought about a complete loss of its capacity to compete with 125I-labelled hormone for rat-liver binding sites, but modification of approximately half of the fast histidine group was enough to produce an important decrease in this capacity. Circular dichroism studies indicated no significant changes in protein conformation with all three histidine residues modified. Practically full binding capacity was restored when these residues were regenerated by treatment with hydroxylamine. These results suggest that one or both of the fast reacting histidine residues are involved in bovine growth hormone binding to its specific receptors.

Specific binding sites for prolactin and growth hormone in the adult rabbit lung

Specific prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) binding sites were identified and characterized in lung membranes from male and female adult rabbits. The binding of iodinated human GH ([125I]iodo-hGH) and iodinated ovine PRL ([125I]iodo-oPRL) was time, temperature and protein dependent and was found to conform to the requirements defining a physiological receptor, in terms of hormonal and immunological specificities as well as kinetic properties. [125I]Iodo-hGH was displaced from lung membranes by hGH, oPRL, ovine GH and rat GH, while [125I]iodo-oPRL was effectively displaced only by oPRL and hGH. Scatchard plots of the competition curves of [125I]iodo-hGH and [125I]iodo-oPRL were both linear, suggesting, in each case, a single class of binding sites with affinity constants (Ka) of 1.74 +/- 0.64 X 10(9) M-1 and 0.78 +/- 0.28 X 10(9) M-1 and binding capacities of 6.43 +/- 0.53 and 4.16 +/- 0.69 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Anti-PRL-receptor antiserum significantly inhibited the binding of the [125I]iodo-oPRL to rabbit lung membranes, while it was less potent in preventing the binding of [125I]iodo-hGH, which has both lactogenic and somatogenic activity. Removal of endogenous ligand by treating lung membranes with 4 M MgCl2 increased specific binding of hGH about 2.5-fold, exposing additional specific binding sites without significantly changing the binding affinity. The level of binding of hGH and oPRL to rabbit lung did not show a pronounced sex differentiation. In summary, PRL and GH binding sites have been demonstrated for the first time in adult rabbit lung membranes, and they support the possibility of a physiological role for PRL and GH in the lung.

A case report of growth attenuation during methionyl human growth hormone treatment

A 10-year-old child with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency was treated with recombinant methionyl human growth hormone (m-hGH, Somatonorm) at a dose of 14 IU/week. Height increased from 122.3 to 126.5 cm during the first 9 months of treatment (5.6 cm/y), but only from 126.5 to 126.6 cm during the next 3 month of treatment (0.4 cm/y). Anti-hGH antibody was detected at 2 months of treatment, reached its maximum at the end of 9 months with a titer of 10(6) and a binding capacity of 2.0 mg/L. After switching from m-hGH to pituitary extracted hGH (p-hGH) treatment, his height increased again from 126.6 to 132.2 cm during the next 12 months of p-hGH treatment (5.6 cm/y). The cause of growth attenuation during m-hGH treatment was concluded to be the high titer of anti-hGH antibody. This is the first case in Japan and one of only three cases in which growth attenuation occurred during m-hGH treatment.

Effects of recombinant methionyl bovine somatotropin (sometribove) in high producing cows milked three times daily

Effects of daily sometribove administration on milk yield and composition, body condition score, BW, and SCC were evaluated in Holstein cows milked three times daily. Lactating cows (n =104) were assigned randomly to control or sometribove-treated (25 mg/d) groups. The experimental period was 16 wk, consisting of 2-wk pretreatment, 12-wk treatment, and 2-wk posttreatment periods. All cows were injected once daily starting at 53 to 180 d postpartum, housed in free stalls, and fed one of five total mixed rations according to milk production. Body weights were measured weekly, and body condition was scored biweekly. Milk yield was recorded daily, and weekly milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, total solids, and SCC. Milk yield and milk protein were increased 18.8% (38.6 vs. 32.5 kg/d) and 3.3% (3.1 vs. 3.0%), respectively, whereas percentage of milk fat, lactose, SNF, SCC, and BW were unaffected by treatment. Overall average body condition scores were lower for the sometribove-treated group versus control (2.2 vs. 2.4). No apparent differences in the number of cows treated for mastitis, foot rot, displaced abomasum, or lameness were observed between treatment groups. Sometribove treatment significantly enhanced milk yield (6.1 kg/d) with no apparent negative effects on health in high producing cows milked three times per day.

A growth hormone (GH) analog that antagonizes the lipolytic effect but retains full insulin-like (antilipolytic) activity of GH

An analog of bovine growth hormone (bGH-M8: [Leu117, Arg119, Asp122]-bGH) with an idealized amphiphilic third alpha-helix has been proposed to be a functional antagonist of GH. In accordance with this proposition, bGH-M8 profoundly inhibited bGH-stimulated lipolysis by chicken adipose tissue in vitro. bGH-M8 alone was a weak agonist in the lipolytic assay (1.9% the potency of bGH). The present evidence indicates that bGH-M8 is a competitive antagonist of the lipolytic action of GH based upon the following results: (i) increasing concentrations of bGH-M8 (antagonist) produce progressively greater inhibition of GH-stimulated lipolysis; (ii) increasing concentrations of bGH (agonist) are capable of overcoming this antagonism; and (iii) Schild plot analysis (slope = -0.94) suggests a receptor antagonist with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KB) of 4.54 nM. In contrast to the antagonistic effects of bGH-M8 on bGH-stimulated lipolysis, bGH-M8 retained full insulin-like ("antilipolytic") activity (i.e., inhibition of glucagon-induced lipolysis). bGH-M8 and bGH were similarly potent in eliciting antilipolytic effects in vitro. Moreover, the antilipolytic effects of bGH-M8 and bGH were additive. Therefore, the third alpha-helix (particularly residues 117, 119, and 122) of bGH contains major structural determinants for the lipolytic effects of GH. The ability of bGH-M8 to act as an antagonist for at least one action of GH (lipolysis) while being a full agonist for another (antilipolysis) suggests that different domains of GH are responsible for its various biologic activities, possibly involving different binding sites and/or signal transduction mechanisms.

Reproductive performance in high producing dairy cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin

The reproductive performance of 156 cows treated with recombinant bST for two consecutive lactations was assessed as part of a target animal safety study conducted in the San Joaquín Valley of central California. Daily intramuscular administration of 17.2, 51.6, and 86 mg of bST per cow started at d 70 postpartum and ended at dry-off or 305 d postpartum. The AI did not begin until d 70 postpartum. During the first lactation study, multiparous cows treated with bST had significantly decreased pregnancy rates, increased behavioral anestrus, and increased anestrus confirmed by palpation. Treated primiparous cows in first lactation had shorter mean days to first standing estrus. In the second lactation study, cows treated with bST had an increased rate of delayed uterine involution, cystic ovarian condition, behavioral anestrus, and anestrus confirmed by palpation. Progeny from the first lactation cows were evaluated for rates of growth, morbidity, mortality, and for reproductive performance; no difference was detected between the progeny from different groups.

Effect of long-term bovine somatotropin (sometribove) treatment on nitrogen (protein) distribution in Jersey milk

Twenty-six Jersey cows were assigned randomly to one of two treatments. Twelve cows received biweekly subcutaneous injection of 500 mg of sometribove, USAN (recombinant methionyl bovine somatotropin), beginning 60 +/- 3 d postpartum and continuing throughout one lactation. Fourteen control animals received injections of placebo carrier. Milk samples were taken biweekly on weeks alternate to injection when differences in milk components were expected to be greatest compared with controls. The milk samples were analyzed for total nitrogen, noncasein nitrogen, and non-protein nitrogen. The average SCC for control and treatment groups was 44,000 +/- 47,000 and 56,000 +/- 65,000. Milk from sometribove-treated cows was significantly lower in total protein (3.92, 4.12%), true protein (3.74, 3.95%), and casein (3.11, 3.34%) than that from control cows on d 8 of the 14 d injection cycle. Casein as a percentage of true protein was lower (83.38, 84.52%), and non-protein nitrogen as a percentage of total nitrogen was higher (4.61, 4.26%) in milk from treated cows. The theoretical yield of Cheddar cheese was ca. .07% less for milk from treated cows than from control cows due to ca. 1% less casein as a percentage of true protein in the former. The differences in nitrogen distribution represent the response during the middle of the injection cycle when milk output was the highest and milk protein the lowest rather than the average response for the injection cycle. The results of the study indicate minimal impact on the cheese manufacturer because in practice milk is commingled from many dairies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of short-term lower leg growth with statural growth in children treated with growth promoting substances

Lower leg growth was determined by knemometry in 11 children with short stature, before and during therapy with growth promoting drugs. The growth response of lower leg length was determined by comparing growth velocities over periods of 6 weeks. The growth response of total body height was determined by comparing the growth velocity during 3 months of therapy with the growth velocity over 1 year before therapy. Significant knemometric growth responses were always associated with positive height responses, but smaller knemometric responses were associated with positive as well as negative height responses.

Effects of sometribove on performance, carcass composition, and chemical blood characteristics of dairy calves

Ten intact male Holstein calves averaging 75 kg of BW and 59 d of age were used to study the effects of daily injections of 0 (control) or 10 mg of sometribove (recombinant methionyl bST) for 6 wk on performance, health, carcass composition, N metabolism, chemical blood characteristics, and hormone profiles. Average daily gain, feed intake, feed:gain ratio, and height at withers, hip, and hock were not influenced by bST. Carcasses from bST-treated calves contained 5% more protein and 36% less lipid than controls. Circulating concentrations of Ca, P, glucose, urea N, alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase, insulin-like growth factor-I, and insulin were not affected by bST. Packed cell volume was decreased about 7% (29.9 vs. 32.4%) in the bST calves. Hormone injection did not adversely affect health of the calves as measured by body temperature and by pulse and respiration rates. The most profound effects of sometribove were a reduction in carcass lipid and an increase in body proteins. These effects may be of some practical importance when leanness of carcass is desirable.

The effect of recombinant human growth hormone on wound healing in normal individuals

Growth hormone therapy has been suggested to speed wound healing in postoperative patients and in patients with severe burns. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of recombinant human growth hormone on the rate of wound healing in normal individuals. Twenty-three healthy males were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Each subject received a split-thickness wound (Davol-Keratome) on one buttock and a full-thickness wound (3-mm punch biopsy) on the other. The full-thickness wound healed significantly more slowly in the recombinant human growth hormone-treated group as compared with the placebo control group (t-test, P = .001). No statistically significant difference was noted in the healing of the split-thickness wounds. It is concluded that recombinant human growth hormone may impede healing in normal patients with full-thickness wounds as compared with treatment with placebo. We cannot rule out, however, that the recombinant human growth hormone affected the quality of the scab in full-thickness wounds and thereby only appeared to alter the wound-healing process.

Short-term effect on growth of two doses of GRF 1-44 in children with growth hormone deficiency: comparison with growth induced by methionyl-GH administration

In a double-blind study 12 prepubertal children with idiopathic growth hormone (GH) deficiency were treated with growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) 1-44 in a dosage of 7.5 or 15 micrograms/kg body weight, administered once a day subcutaneously. With 7.5 micrograms/kg the average growth velocity increased from 2.5 to 4.6 cm/year, an insufficient response. With the higher dosage the average growth velocity increased from 2.7 to 7.0 cm/year, a similar increase as observed with GH therapy in subsequent periods. In 3 of the 6 children treated with the higher dose appropriate catch-up growth was observed. The growth response of the lower leg length was not always consistent with the statural growth response.