Abstract
This chapter discusses the potential applications of growth hormone secretagogues (GHS). Pituitary GH response to GHS administration can be used to assess pituitary functional reserve. A complete blockade of GH response to GHS in patients with pituitary stalk transection, suggests that this could be a sensitive test for the diagnosis of this specific condition. GH deficiency in adults, whether of adult or childhood onset, can also be evaluated using GHS. GHS are preferred over growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in various metabolic states, including obesity, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and anorexia nervosa, because the GH response to GHRH is more impaired than it is to GHS in these states. The novel group of recently developed oral GHS, are potent stimulators of endogenous GH secretion. Their convenient potential once–daily administration and the more physiologic pattern of GH replacement compared with daily GH injections have opened the field of GH replacement to several new treatment options. These potential applications of GHS treatment should be evaluated in long-term controlled clinical studies to study their potential benefits and to monitor side effects. If proved effective and safe, the GHS may replace GH for either novel or well-established indications.
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