Study summary · research use only
Robust growth hormone responses to GH-releasing peptide 2 in adolescents
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This retrospective study collected clinical data on adolescents (human) who underwent GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP2) loading tests (GHRP2T) for growth hormone testing (GHT) at one institution from May 2010 to March 2023. A total of 23 patients were included, classified into three groups: organic or genetic GH deficiency (o/gGHD, 12 patients), idiopathic GHD (iGHD, three patients), and short stature (SS, eight patients). Median peak GH levels were 3.4 ng/mL in the o/gGHD group, 88.9 ng/mL in the iGHD group, and 90.1 ng/mL in the SS group. Two patients exceeded the GHRP2T cut-off but fell below cut-offs for other GH tests. The authors suggest the current GHRP2T cut-off peak GH level in adolescents may need revisiting, noting it could miss some GHD patients.
Abstract
GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP2) can be used for provocative growth hormone testing (GHT). Since it acts as a powerful stimulus for GH secretion, cut-off peak GH level in GHRP2 loading test (GHRP2T) is higher than in other GHT. Nevertheless, data on response at adolescents are limited. This report aimed to investigate peak GH levels in GHRP2T in adolescents. Clinical data of adolescents after onset of puberty who underwent GHRP2T at our institution from May 2010 to March 2023 were collected retrospectively. Subjects were classified into three groups according to underlying diseases. A total of 23 patients were included: 12 in organic or genetic GHD (o/gGHD) group, three in idiopathic GHD (iGHD) group, and eight in short stature (SS) group. The median GH peak levels were 3.4 ng/mL in o/gGHD group, 88.9 ng/mL in iGHD group, and 90.1 ng/mL in SS group, indicating a robust response of GH peak levels in iGHD and SS groups. Two patients exceeded the cut-off for GHRP2T but below for other GHT, indicating the current cut-off for GHRP2T may miss some GHD patients. The GH response to GHRP2T in adolescents except the o/gGHD group may be robustly responsive. For the correct diagnosis of GHD, the cut-off peak GH levels in GHRP2T in adolescents may require revisiting.
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