The molecular era ushered in the cloning of the growth hormone (GH) gene
and the production of unlimited amounts of GH through recombinant
technology. The continuing momentum of research from basic science to
clinical evaluation has brought unprecedented advances to the
understanding of GH biology for the clinical endocrinologist. Growth
Hormone Related Diseases and Therapy: A Molecular and Physiological
Perspective for the Clinician distills all the new information of
relevance to the endocrinologist over the last 20 years by offering five
sections: physiology, molecular genetics, GH deficiency, acromegaly and
pharmacotherapy. The first section on physiology focuses on GH action.
A review on the structure and function of the GH receptor is followed by
a perspective on the regulatory role of ghrelin on GH secretion. The
second section on genetics covers pituitary function and adenomas,
including new and fascinating information on familial pituitary
adenomas, their genotype and phenotype. The adult GH deficiency section
spans the epidemiology and diagnosis of GH deficiency with a strong
reminder for the clinician that the transition period represents a
critical time of somatic maturation, which continues for years after
cessation of liner growth. The section on acromegaly focuses on
management, giving practical guides to the value of GH and IGF-1
measurements, the place of somatostatin analogues and of radiotherapy
while reminding the reader as to why evaluating quality of life is an
important part of management. Finally, the section on GH pharmacology
takes the reader through innovative developments of long-acting GH
formulations with some products on the threshold of clinical use. This
section provides a balanced evidence based review of the effects of GH
supplementation in aging and in sports where recent data indicates an
enhancing effect on a selective aspect of performance. Growth Hormone
Related Diseases and Therapy: A Molecular and Physiological Perspective
for the Clinician integrates a wealth of information and will prove an
invaluable reference for pediatric endocrinologists, adult
endocrinologists, endocrine scientists and internists interested in the
human biology of GH.
