Reversing the Aging Phenotype with Growth Hormone Therapy

Transcription

1 Reversing the Aging Phenotype with Growth Hormone Therapy

2 Growth Hormone Human growth hormone (hgh), or somatotropin, is synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary and released in a pulsatile manner.

3 Modulation of hgh Production of GH is modulated by many factors and controlled by two hypothalamic hormones: Somatostatin (SS), a peptide that inhibits GH release. Growth Hormone Releasing Factor (GHRH)

4 hgh Effects and Sites GH has direct effects on cells with GH receptors: Adipose Muscle And has indirect effects mediated by insuline-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1): Bone Brain

5 GH/IGF Axis The GH/IGF Axis is effected by a variety of environmental inputs: Exercise Sleep Fasting Diet Stress Supplements

6 Model of Negative Feedback Mechanisms in GH secretion Gherlin, a peptide hormone produced in the stomach, binds to somatroph receptors and is a potent stimulator for the secretion of GH

7 hgh Facts First isolated in 1956 from pituitary tissue. Structure of 191 amino acids identified in First biosynthetic GH manufactured in First study in aging subjects by Rudman in First mainstream book by Klatz in 1997.

8 Aging Zone

9

10 Features of GH & IGF-1 Deficiency GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS Impaired cardiovascular function: disturbed lipid profile (increased total cholesterol, decreased HDL, increased LDL, decreased lipoprotein-a), decreased coronary blood flow, reduced capillary density Sleep disturbance: insomnia, lack of restful sleep Decreased exercise capacity, reduced muscle strength, and increased fatigue Abnormal social behavior: lack of assertion, prefers to be alone, depression, and anxiety Abnormal body composition: overweight, central adiposity, increased waist to hip ratio, less muscle mass Loss of tissue tone: sagging cheeks, triceps, buttocks, loose skin, thinning skin, receding gums Memory loss MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS Increased number of fat cells in bone marrow Reduces neuronal survival in the brain Impaired glucose metabolism: reduced utilization in brain and muscle Increased sympathetic nervous system activity: Abnormal genetic expression of proteins in the hippocampus Decreased protein synthesis Participates in immunosenescence: abnormal cytokine activity and reduced expression, thymic involution

11 Benefits of GH Replacement Improves body composition by reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass Helps weight loss and eliminates abdominal adiposity Lowers cardiovascular disease risk factors: improves lipid profile (lower total cholesterol and LDL; and increases HDL) May improve insulin sensitivity Increases bone mass and density Improves exercise tolerance Enhances libido and sexual performance Improves cerebral circulation Improves effects of steroid sex hormones Increases blood cell production in the bone marrow Improves antioxidant activity in the body Increases conversion of T4 to T3 in peripheral tissue Improves learning and memory Speeds wound healing

12 How Patients Feel on hgh Replacement Greater sense of well being and feel younger Have more energy Increased libido and enhanced sexual performance Stronger muscles and better skin tone Experience greater fitness = BETTER SELF IMAGE BECAUSE THEY LOOK BETTER WITH A MORE YOUTHFUL SHAPE AND THEREFORE EXPERIENCE INCREASED SELF CONFIDENCE

13 Evidence of Reversal of Aging Phenotype with hgh and IGF-1 Restores function of hematopoietic tissue (French et al. Endocrinology 2002) Improves cerebral vasculation and microvascular plasticity in the brain (Sonntag et al. Journal of Anatomy 2000) Restores organ reserve and prevents thymic involution (French et al. Endocrinology 2002) Restores bone mass and density (O Halloran et al. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolsim 1993) Restores hippocampal neurogenesis (Lictenwalner et al. Neuroscience 2001)

14 Generally well-tolerated Low dose replacement is associated with few risks Risks of high dose hgh is well-documented: Fluid retention Joint swelling and Arthralgia Carpal tunnel syndrome May cause insulin resistance and glucose intolerance Modest rise in lipoprotein (a) Cardiac hypertrophy Hypertension Increased risk for hypothalamic-pituitary tumors, mammary cancer, prostate and colorectal cancer Safety & Risks

15 Defining of Somatopause Declining levels of GH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3 Declining levels of androgrens: total testosterone, free testosterone, DHEA-S Increasing levels of SHBG Declining bone density Declining estrogen (women) Increasing cortisol, insulin, leptin, LH, FSH, TSH

16 Laboratory Tests HORMONES IGF-1 (ng/ml) IGFBP-3 (mg/l) Total Testosterone (ng/ml) Free Testosterone (pg/ml) DHEA-S (ng/dl) SHBG (nmol/l) Levels in Men years Levels in Men over 60 years < < <400 < < < >60 Level to Consider HGH Replacement Therapy

17 Dosages and Recommendations Dosages for adult GH-deficiency range between mg/kg/d (optimal dose still unknown) = mg/d for a 165 pound individual. (Gentili 2002: Gillberg found daily low dose hgh produced benefits without serious side effects: 0.18 mg = 0.53 IU daily. (Gillberg et al, Growth Hormone & IGF Research 2001) Optimal dosages should follow these guidelines and be individually adjusted with an average range between O.25 to 1.5 IU Daily. Effective therapy can be obtained from daily injections, three weekly injections, or supplemented with oral secretagogues, amino acids, and peptides. (Williams JE, Prolonging Health 2003.)

18 About Dr. Williams Dr. Williams has over twenty years of clinical experience in integrative medicine and is the author of two acclaimed books: Viral Immunity (Hampton Roads Publishing Company 2002) Prolonging Health (Hampton Roads Publishing Company 2003)

19