Original Paper

Physical Effects of Short-Term Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Administration in Abstinent Steroid Dependency
Michael R. Graham^a, Julien S. Baker^a, Peter Evans^b, Andrew Kicman^c, David Cowan^c, David Hullin^d, Non Thomas^a, Bruce Davies<sup>a

a</sup>Health and Exercise Science Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sport and Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd;
^bRoyal Gwent Hospital, Newport;
^cDrug Control Centre, Kings College London, and
^dDepartment of Pathology, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Ynys Maerdy, Llantrisant, UK

Address of Corresponding Author

Horm Res 2008;69:343-354 (DOI: 10.1159/000117390)

  Key Words

• Insulin-like growth factor-I
• Physical stress
• Recombinant human growth hormone
• Strength

  Abstract

Background/Aims: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) as opposed to cadaver pituitary GH is misused for physical improvement. Six days' rhGH administration, in abstinent anabolic-androgenic steroid dependents, was compared with controls. Method: Male subjects (n = 48) were randomly divided into two groups: (1): control group (C), n = 24, mean ± SD, age 32 ± 11 years, height 1.8 ± 0.06 m; (2): rhGH-using group (0.058 IU·kg^-1·day^-1) (GH), n = 24, mean ± SD, age 32 ± 9 years, height 1.8 ± 0.07 m. Physiological measurements included anthropometry, strength, power and peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak). Biochemical measurements included haemoglobin, packed cell volume, glucose, sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, thyroid function, testosterone, prolactin, cortisol, GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Results: Strength, peak power output and IGF-I significantly increased and total protein, albumin and free tetra-iodothyronine significantly decreased compared to controls (p < 0.05) and within the GH group (p < 0.017). Fat-free mass index and VO₂ peak significantly increased, while body fat and thyroid-stimulating hormone significantly decreased within the GH group (p < 0.017). Conclusions: Short-term rhGH increased strength and power. Of therapeutic value is the possibility that muscle bulk and strength could be increased in patients with muscle-wasting conditions.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

M.R. Graham, MBChB
Health and Exercise Science Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sport and Science
University of Glamorgan
Pontypridd CF37 1DL (UK)
Tel. +44 144 348 2873, Fax +44 144 348 2285, E-Mail drgraham@glam.ac.uk

  Article Information

Where applicable, the experiments described received approval for the investigations from an institutional human research committee here and conform with the principles of the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki, 1975.

Received: March 14, 2007
Accepted: August 11, 2007
Published online: March 17, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 54