What is the Origin of rhGH Treatment?

The acronym rhGH stands for recombinant human Growth Hormone. The origin of this treatment is a landmark achievement in biotechnology, dating back to the 1980s when genetic engineering techniques first allowed for the large-scale, safe production of human GH. Prior to this, GH was sourced from human cadavers, which carried significant risks. This biotechnological advance revolutionized the treatment of GHD.

What is the Mechanism of rhGH Treatment?

The mechanism of rhGH action mimics that of endogenous Growth Hormone. Once administered, rhGH binds to the Growth Hormone Receptors (GHR) on target cells, particularly in the liver, initiating the JAK2/STAT signaling cascade. This activation leads to the hepatic synthesis and release of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), which is the primary mediator of GH's anabolic effects on muscle, bone, and other tissues. rhGH also exerts direct effects on adipocytes, promoting lipolysis, and on insulin sensitivity, collectively restoring a more youthful metabolic and body composition profile in deficient individuals.

rhGH Treatment ∞ Area

rhGH Treatment

Meaning

rhGH Treatment is the clinical administration of recombinant human Growth Hormone (rhGH), a synthetic protein identical in structure to the naturally occurring somatotropin produced by the pituitary gland. This therapeutic intervention is primarily indicated for patients diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), both in childhood to promote growth and in adulthood to address metabolic and body composition deficits. It is a precise endocrine replacement therapy aimed at restoring the physiological functions regulated by the GH/IGF-1 axis, including protein synthesis, lipolysis, and bone metabolism.