Is human growth hormone used in medicine?
Human growth hormone stimulates cell reproduction and overall growth in humans and other vertebrates. Growth hormone deficiency or overproduction can lead to a variety of disorders. Some studies suggest growth hormone administration to adults may promote anti-aging effects. Although these claims are not well substantiated, a virtual industry has developed around human growth hormone as a revitalizing health tonic. Human growth hormone stimulates cell reproduction and overall growth in humans and other vertebrates. It is often abbreviated as HGH, and its formal name is somatropin. Secreted by the pituitary gland, human growth hormone is an important physiological regulator, and growth hormone deficiency or overproduction can lead to a variety of disorders. Structure and Physiological Activity Human growth hormone is a protein consisting of 191 amino acids and its molecular weight is approximately 22,000 daltons. The genes for this polypeptide are located on chromosome 17. Ggrowth hormon