Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a condition characterized by insufficient production or secretion of growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland. Our company excels in rare diseases, particularly in the area of GHD, offering comprehensive one-stop services that cater specifically to the needs of professionals in this field.
Overview of GHD
The prevalence of GHD is approximately 2-3 per 10,000 people. GH plays a pivotal role in life stages, ranging from childhood to adulthood, in which insufficiency has sweeping impacts.
- 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 consequence of decreased secretion of GH from the anterior pituitary. This condition can be classified into two main categories: congenital and acquired. Congenital GHD stems from genetic mutations or developmental abnormalities in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, present from birth. Acquired GHD develops after birth and can result from various causes such as tumors, radiation therapy, infections, traumatic brain injury, or autoimmune diseases.
Fig.2 Effects of GHD on liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. (Doycheva, I., et al., 2022)Diagnostics Development of GHD
Diagnosing GHD involves a battery of tests designed to stimulate GH release and measure the body's response. Some of the common tests employed to detect GH levels include 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
The main therapy for GHD is replacement therapy with synthetic GH. It involves regular subcutaneous injections of recombinant human GH, aims to restore GH levels to normal and promote growth, development, and overall well-being.
| 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.