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Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHS)

Meaning

Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHS) are a class of compounds that stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete endogenous Growth Hormone (GH). These agents act as agonists for the ghrelin receptor, also known as the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHSR). Unlike direct GH replacement, GHS work by enhancing the body’s natural pulsatile release of GH, offering a physiological approach to modulating the somatotropic axis. They are clinically investigated for conditions like GH deficiency and age-related body composition changes. Examples include compounds like ghrelin mimetics and certain peptides.