Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) refers to a condition where there is a partial or complete failure of the pituitary gland to produce or secrete growth hormone. Our company is focused on rare diseases including GHD where we provide seamless services tailored to the needs of professionals.
Overview of GHD
GHD has a prevalence of about 2 to 3 people per 10,000 people. The impact that the insufficiency of GH has during the childhood and adolescence stages of life is crucial.
- In children and adolescents, GH is crucial for stimulating growth and development. Abnormalities in GH levels can lead to a spectrum of developmental issues: short stature, delayed skeletal maturation, and notably slower growth rates compared to their peers.
- In adults, GH impacts metabolism and body composition. A deficiency results in decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, reduced bone density, and altered lipid metabolism. Even beyond physical symptoms, GHD can induce feelings of fatigue, depression, and anxiety.
Fig.1 The stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the release of GH and its effector organs. (Firouzi, M., et al., 2021)Pathogenesis of GHD
GHD is a result of underproduction of growth hormone (GH) by anterior lobe of the pituitary. Two broad categories this condition can be divided into are: congenital and acquired. Genetic and developmental abnormalities of the pituitary or the hypothalamus resulting in a child being born with GHD is referred to as congenital GHD. Acquired GHD is that which occurs postnatally from various reasons like tumors, radiation, infections, head injuries, or autoimmune conditions.
Fig.2 Effects of GHD on liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. (Doycheva, I., et al., 2022)Diagnostics Development of GHD
A number of tests designed to stimulate secretion of GH and assess the body's response to the secretion are done in the diagnosis of GHD. Among the “common tests” of GH levels the following are the most frequently used: insulin tolerance test, arginine stimulation test, etc.
| Types of GH stimulation tests | GH cut-offs (μg/L) | Applicable object |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin tolerance test | <3.0–5.0 | Adults |
| Glucagon stimulation test | ≤3.0 | Adults（BMI < 25 kg/m2） |
| ≤1.0 | Adults (BMI 25–30 kg/m2) | |
| ≤1.0 | Adults (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) | |
| GH-releasing peptides 2 and 6 | Ranges from 3.5 to 15.0 | Children and adults |
| Macimorelin | ≤2.8 | Adults |
| Clonidine | ≤6.8 | Children |
| Arginine test | ≤6.5 | Children and adolescents |
| ≤0.4 | Adults | |
| GHRH-arginine test | <11.0 | Adults（BMI < 25 kg/m2） |
| <8.0 | Adults (BMI 25–30 kg/m2) | |
| <4.0 | Adults (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) |
Therapeutics Development of GHD
Synthetic growth hormone replacement therapy is the first line therapeutic for GHD individuals. This therapy includes routine administration of recombinant human growth hormone through subcutaneous injection to achieve normal ranges of growth hormone, wihch would subsequently enhance growth, development, and health in general.
| Names | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somapacitan | A reversible albumin-binding GH derivative in which fatty acids have been conjugated to GH | GH | Phase III trials |
| LB03002 | GH formulation consisting of microparticles | GH | Phase III trials |
| Nutropin Depot | Long-acting GH preparation composed of microspheres | GH | Approved |
Our Services
Our company's expertise spans the entire spectrum of GHD research, from diagnosis and understanding pathogenesis to developing advanced therapeutics. With our animal models and therapeutic development platform, we aim to accelerate breakthroughs in understanding GHD and developing innovative solutions.
Therapy Development Platforms
Animal Models of GHD
Animal models provide valuable tools for investigating the pathogenesis of GHD, exploring potential therapeutic interventions, and understanding the physiological consequences of GH deficiency. Our company offers a variety of animal models for you to advance your knowledge of GHD and develop novel therapeutics for this condition.
The genetic engineering animal models involve the targeted disruption of specific genes related to GH secretion or action, such as RNPC3 and GHR.
Optional Models: Rnpc3em6Gpt model; GHR knockout model, etc.
Spontaneous Models
Certain animals such as Snell dwarf mice naturally exhibit genetic mutations in genes involved in pituitary development, leading to deficiencies in GH production.
Optional Models: Ames dwarf mice model; Snell dwarf mice model, etc.
In these models, the pituitary gland, which is responsible for GH production, is surgically removed or damaged, resulting in a complete absence of GH secretion.
Optional Models: Hypophysectomy model; Pituitary ablation model, etc.
Why Choose US
With a dedicated team of experienced specialists and state-of-the-art facilities, we offer seamless and integrated services including pharmacokinetic studies and drug safety evaluation, to support researchers in their quest to push the boundaries of GHD therapy and management.
If you are interested in learning more about our services and how we can support your research endeavors, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for further information.
References
- Doycheva, Iliana et al. "Growth hormone deficiency and NAFLD: An overlooked and underrecognized link." Hepatology communications 6.9 (2022): 2227-2237.
- Firouzi, Majid et al. "Genetic Anomalies of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Pediatrics." Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets 21.2 (2021): 288-297.
- List, Edward O et al. "Common and uncommon mouse models of growth hormone deficiency." Endocrine reviews (2024): bnae017.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.