Recombinant human growth hormone as potential therapy for osteoporosis.

Growth hormone (GH) directly stimulates proliferation and differentiated functions of cultured bone cells. In addition, temporal relationships between decreased function of the GH/IGF-1 axis and age-related bone loss have prompted some investigators to hypothesize that these two phenomena are causally related, and to test this hypothesis by evaluating the effects of GH administration on bone turnover and mineral density in older men and women. Although these studies show clearly that GH initiates bone remodelling activity, changes in bone mass have not been impressive, even when GH was given in combination with anti-resorptive therapy. Thus, it appears very unlikely that GH will offer a clinically useful means to restore skeletal deficits in patients with osteoporosis.