DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF GROWTH HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE

生长激素释放激素和生长抑素 是两种共同控制生长的下丘脑肽 激素(GH)的合成和释放。该项目的目标是：a) 促生长激素释放激素及其类似物治疗生长激素的疗效探讨 缺乏和生长激素过剩(肢端肥大症)：b)研究 神经内分泌对生长激素分泌的调节；以及c)确定 不同生理状态下生长激素调节的变化 以确定他们的起因。生长激素缺乏症的治疗：我们有 确定生长激素缺乏通常是由于缺乏 下丘脑GHRH。虽然这种疾病通常用生长激素治疗， 我们发现GHRH在正常化方面也非常有效 这些患者的生长速度。因为它甚至可以有效地 每天服用一次，GHRH也可能和GH一样实用 治疗。我们现在正在测试降低SRIF的药物， 其中阻断生长激素的分泌，可以增强对糖尿病的治疗效果 GHRH。肢端肥大症的评估和治疗：我们正在测试一种新的 肢端肥大症是一种垂体瘤的治疗方法 随着生长激素的过量生产导致严重的疾病，这并不是 以目前的方式得到很好的对待。GHRH与一种有机硼相连 暴露在中子下发出辐射的共轭化合物。我们是 测试这种化合物是否会定位于肿瘤细胞，以及 允许他们有选择地被杀。

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIF) are the two hypothalamic peptides which together control growth hormone (GH) synthesis and release. This project aims: a) To explore the efficacy of GHRH and its analogues in treating GH deficiency and GH excess (acromegaly): b) to study the neuroendocrine regulation of GH secretion; and c) to define alterations of GH regulation in different physiologic states, and to determine their cause. Therapy of GH deficiency: We have established that GH deficiency is usually due to a deficiency of hypothalamic GHRH. While this disease is usually treated with GH, we have found that GHRH is also highly effective in normalizing growth velocity in these patients. Since it can be effective even with a single daily dose, GHRH may also be as practical as GH for treatment. We are now testing whether drugs which lower SRIF, which blocks GH secretion, can enhance the therapeutic effect of GHRH. Evaluation and therapy of acromegaly: We are testing a new approach to the treatment of acromegaly, a form of pituitary tumor with overproduction of GH leading to severe illness, which is not well treated by current means. GHRH is linked to an organoboron conjugate which emits radiation under exposure to neutrons. We are testing whether this compound will localize in tumor cells, and allow them to be killed selectively.