For
Prevention and Quality of Life Issues.
|
|
|
|
THE ROLE OF SOMATOTROPH-SPECIFIC PEPTIDES AND IGF-1 INTERMEDIATES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO HGH INJECTIONS James Jamieson and L.E. Dorman, D.O. as presented for the American College for Advancement in Medicine, October 30, 1997 Background. The age-reversing effects of growth hormone injections have been established in several clinical trials. Results consistently demonstrate increased muscle mass, reduction in bodyfat, enhanced immune function, improved healing rate of injuries, increased endurance, improved sexual function, hair regrowth, thickening of the skin, and improved mental function. Side effects include edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, allergic response, possible down-regulation of endogenous GH and promotion of cancerous tumor growth. These side effects, the high cost and inconvenience of GH injections, and the knowledge that hGH continues to be produced, but not released by pituitary somatotrophs, has led to an abundance of research on GH Secretagogue, which appear to stimulate the release o GH within physiologic boundaries. This research often involves the use of injectable peptides and other sensitive materials, which are marginally effective at raising IGF-I levels, and consequently have not generally elicited the symptomatic improvement demonstrated with GH injection therapy. Abstract. Thirty-six individuals with low levels of Insulin like Growth Factor Type I (IGF- 1 < 350 ng/ml), were evaluated clinically for changes in existing symptomatology and serum IGF- I levels over a period of 12 weeks while being administered Symbiotropin, a combination of anterior pituitary peptides, sequenced glycoamino acid complex, pharmaceutical saccharides, a plant derived source of L-Dopa, and botanical regulators of insulin and IGF-1. Patients experienced a 30% average increase in IGF-1. Patient self-assessments in areas of endurance and body composition, hair and skin, sexual function, healing and immunity, and mental function reflect significant improvement in all 23 areas of evaluation, with range of 21% - 74% of patients reporting improvement in these areas. Additional clinical observations reflect significant improvements in blood sugar management in diabetic patients, lowered prostate-specific antigen (PSA), improved cardiac and pulmonary function, blood pressure management, and improvement in menopausal symptoms. Introduction Unlike other endocrine hormones, which diminish in production with age, hGH is continuously produced by pituitary somatotrophs well into the 70's and 80's, except in the presence of certain pituitary disorders. However, in a state referred to as somatopause, circulating growth hormone levels diminish due to a variety of influences that cause hGH to remain sequestered in pituitary somatotrophs. Age-related increase in production of the hypothalamic hormone somatostatin plays a dominant role in limiting growth hormone release. Age-related decrease in the hypothalamic hormone growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) limits hGH release. Excessive carbohydrate intake and diminishing pancreatic function lead to decreased growth hormone release due to poor blood sugar management. Pituitary receptors have been identified that respond to specific hGH-releasing peptides. Hypothalamic receptors have been identified that respond to peptides, which inhibit somatostatin and stimulate GHRH. Management of growth hormone secretion through the use of peptides and other compounds generally increases the amplitude and frequency of growth hormone release within physiologic boundaries. CHARACTERISTICS OF GH DEFICIENCY Lipid Effects Bone Effects Metabolic Effects Protein Synthesis Dehydration Mental Health Physiologic effects associated with growth hormone are accomplished primarily through the function of IGF-1. Circulating GH (1/2 life = 20 minutes) stimulates the liver and other tissues to release IGF-I (1/2 life = 20 hours). Serum IGF-I levels are more sustained, and therefore a more practical indicator of growth hormone status. AREAS OF IGF-1 ACTIVITY There are several known factors that affect GH release and IGF-I response, including insulin regulation, SOMATOTROPH receptors, GHRH, somatostatin, hepatic function, and IGF-I receptor sites. Pharmacologically correlating these factors with the action of anterior pituitary peptides, a sequenced glycogen-ic acid complex, a plant-derived source of L-Dopa, and botanical regulators of insulin and IGF- I has led to the development of Symbiotropin, a promoter of GH release and IGF- I formation. Clinically, the efficacy of Symbiotropin has been evaluated through IGF-1 measurement and patient self-assessment. Method IGF- I levels were measured before the onset of Symbiotropin therapy and then at four week intervals. Patient self-assessments were performed every four weeks throughout the twelve week term. Additional clinical observations were made during routine office visits. Results No side effects were observed that could be attributed to Symbiotropin. One female patient was removed from the study due to a citric acid allergy that was aggravated by Symbiotropin. IGF-1 measurements indicate continued increases in IGF-1 throughout the twelve week term. Measurements taken during the first four weeks indicate increases of over 200% and averaging over 18 %. Eight week measurements indicate increases of over 100% and averaging 24%. Twelve week measurements indicate a 30% average increase in IGF-1. Rate of symptomatic response occur-red independent of the rate of IGF- I increase. Conclusion Symptomatic improvements with Symbiotropin, which
were not included in the patient self assessment indicate that its therapeutic potential
may exceed that of hGH injections. Consistent and significant improvement in diabetes,
BPH, hypertension, Cardiomyopathy., pulmonary disorders, rheumatism, Crohn's disease,
obesity, and chronic fatigue syndrome, all warrant further 9 investigation
into Symbiotropin's therapeutic potential. REFERENCES Clemmons DR, Van Wyk JJ. Factors controlling blood concentrations of somatomedin C. Clin Endocrinol Metab 184; 13:113-43. Florini JR, Prinz PN, Vitiello MV, Hintz RL. Somatomedin C levels in healthy young and old men: relationship to peak and 24-hour integrated levels of growth hormone. J Gerontol 1985;40:2-7. Jorgenson JOL, Pedersen SA, Thuesen L, et al. Beneficial effects of growth hormone treatment in GH-deficient adults. Lancet 1989; 1: 1221-5. Salomon F, Cuneo RC, Hesp R, Sonksen PH. The effects of treatment with recombinant growth hormone on body composition and metabolism in adults with growth hormone deficiency. N Engl J Med 1989; 321:1797-803. van der Werff ten Bossch JJ, Bot A. Effects of human pituitary growth hormone on body composition. Neth J Med 1987; 30:220-7. Crist DM, Peake GT, Mackinnon LT, Sibbit WL Jr, Kraner JC. Exogenous growth hormone treatment alters body composition and increases natural killer cell activity in women with impaired endogenous growth hormone secretion. Metabolism 1987; 36: 1115-7. Unterman TG, Vasquez RM, Slas AJ, Mai-tyn PA, Phillips LS. Nutrition and somatomedin. Usefulness of somatomedin in nutritional assessment. Am J Med 1985; 78:228-34. Rudman D. Growth hormone, body composition, and aging. J Am Geriatr Soc 1985; 33: 800-7. Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, Gergans GA, Lalitha PY, Goldberg AF, et al. Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old. N Engl J Med 1990; 323:1-6. Kelly PJ, Eisman JA, Stuart MC, Pocock NA, Sambrook PN, Gwinn TH. Somatomedin-C, physical fitness, and bone density. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1990; 70:718-23. Rizza RA, Mandarino LJ, Gerich
JE. Effects of growth hormone on insulin action in man: mechanisms of insulin resistance,
impaired suppression of glucose production, and impaired stimulation of glucose
utilization. |
|
|
