Growth Hormone Axis and Aging

Abstract

Growth hormone (GH) and/or ghrelin mimetics represent potential treatment and/or prevention options for musculoskeletal impairment associated with aging. Use of improvement in muscle function as an outcome in studies of GH and ghrelin mimetics is complicated by the lack of a standardized definition for clinically meaningful efficacy of this end point. Based on preliminary study results, the use of ghrelin mimetics may be more suitable for use in this age group than GH itself. There are still several unanswered questions related to the use of ghrelin mimetics in the elderly, which prevents recommendation for its use at the current time.