HGH or human growth hormone is a protein hormone of 190 amino

acids, which is synthesized and secreted by the Somatotroph

cells (hence called Somatotropin) in the anterior pituitary.

The genes for human growth hormone are localized in the q22-24

region of chromosome 17. The structure of HGH includes four

helices necessary for functional interaction with the GH

receptor. Structurally, HGH is homologous to prolactin and

chorionic somatomammotropin and it appears as if the three

share some evolutionarily connection. The triad is known to

promote growth and aid the lactogenic activity.

Human Growth Hormone Secretion

Synthesis and secretion of HGH is controlled by many factors

such as exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress and sometimes even

by growth hormone itself. The control, however, are wielded by

two hypo-thalamic hormones (Growth hormone-releasing hormone or

GHRH and Somatostatin or SS) and one hormone present in the

stomach (Ghrelin).

Functions of HGH

Human growth hormone contributes in the building up of the

human body. HGH has two different types of effects on the human

tissues and the human system as a whole – direct and indirect.

The direct effects are the upshot of the growth hormone binding

its receptor to the target cells. Indirect effects are

stimulated by an insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a

hormone secreted by the liver and other tissues in response to

growth hormone action. In fact, most of the growth promoting

effects of HGH are the consequence of IGF-I acting on the

target cells.

Thus, it is apparent that HGH or Somatotropin plays a vital

role in major physiological processes, including growth and

metabolism.

HGH & Growth

The major role of growth hormone in effecting body growth is to

stimulate the liver and various other tissues to secrete IGF-I.

IGF-I. This, in-turn, it provokes proliferation of Chondrocytes

(cartilage cells), resulting in bone growth.

HGH & Metabolism

Human growth hormone has been found to have important effects

on protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. These effects in

some are direct, others indirect and a few showing mixed

effects.

Although height growth is an all-too-manifest effect of HGH on

the human system, it has several other specific and essentially

functions. These functions range from protein synthesis to

building muscle mass, calcium retention to mineralization of

bones, stimulating the immune system to maintaining fuel

homeostasis, etc.

This is all about real human growth hormone. Biosynthetic human

growth hormone, also known as recombinant human growth hormone

and abbreviated as rHGH was first used for remedial use in the

U.S. in 1985. Since then, the biosynthetic variety of HGH has

nearly sidelined the pituitary-prompted human growth hormone,

especially in therapeutic use.