Growth hormone-releasing hormone: past and present

The discovery of hypothalamic hypophysiotropic factors confirmed the hypothesis of Green and Harris in the late 1940s. These hormones were isolated from their eutopic site of production (the hypothalamus) with the exception of growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH), which was isolated from an ectopic, tumoral site of production and found to be responsible for acromegaly. Following the isolation, characterization and synthesis of human GHRH, clinical studies were performed and are described below. Circulating levels of GHRH can be measured and provide the basis for the diagnosis of acromegaly related to the ectopic, tumoral production of GHRH. At present, GHRH is used as a test of GH secretion mainly as an adjunct to other agents which modify somatostatin status, or to GH-releasing peptides. Its therapeutic potential in children and the elderly is still under investigation. The role of GHRH in the pulsatile secretion of GH is described.