Document 0007
 DOCN  M9650007
 TI    Growth hormone in HIV/AIDS: current uses and future prospects.
 DT    9605
 AU    Laurence J; Laboratory for AIDS Virus Research, Cornell University
       Medical; College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
 SO    Pediatr AIDS HIV Infect. 1995 Oct;6(5):281-91. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE AIDS/96156177
 AB    Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and its primary induced product,
       insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), have beneficial effects on a
       myriad of syndromes associated with catabolic metabolism in children and
       in adults. Their ability to promote nitrogen retention and protein
       synthesis and to enhance lipolysis has translated into significant
       increases in body weight, lean body mass, and sense of well-being among
       HIV+ individuals with wasting syndromes. These changes, first observed
       in limited phase I studies, have now been confirmed by two large,
       controlled clinical trials. The alterations are consistent with the low
       GH and/or IGF-I levels observed in HIV infection, as well as the
       relative resistance to GH. Whether long-term outcome in HIV disease is
       altered by such therapies remains to be determined, however. The ability
       of GH to augment cellular immune function and modulate T lymphocyte
       trafficking in animal models of immune suppression has also led to
       examination of its impact on CD4+ T cell counts and viral load in HIV
       infection. There is currently little evidence that short-term rhGH
       administration has any lasting impact on T cell biology in the setting
       of HIV disease. However, preliminary reports that, in vitro, GH alters
       immune cell apoptosis and enhances the efficacy of Zidovidine (AZT),
       similar to changes observed with granulocyte-macrophage
       colony-stimulating factor, may lead to additional uses for GH. Studies
       to define the mechanism of action of GH and IGF-I on normal and abnormal
       immune homeostasis in children and adults should enhance our ability to
       design effective treatments for those with acquired immune deficiency
       syndrome (AIDS) and perhaps other wasting and immune suppressive
       disorders.
 DE    Adult  Child  Clinical Trials  Human  HIV
       Infections/IMMUNOLOGY/METABOLISM/*THERAPY  Insulin-Like Growth Factor
       I/PHARMACOLOGY/THERAPEUTIC USE  Recombinant
       Proteins/PHARMACOLOGY/THERAPEUTIC USE
       Somatotropin/PHARMACOLOGY/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
       Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL

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