Normal Growth and Clinical Aspects Flashcards
Name seven factors which regulate growth
- Growth hormone release from anterior pituitary – which in turn is regulated by the balance of GHRH vs GHIH release from the hypothalamus
- Thyroid hormones
- Insulin
- Sex steroids (esp. at puberty)
- Availability of nutrients
- Stress
- Genetics
What is GH?
GH is a peptide hormone released from the anterior pituitary. Aka somatotropin (“trop” relating to growth).
What two hypothalamic neurohormones control the release of GH?
- Growth Hormone Inhibiting Hormone (GHIH) (aka Somatostatin
- Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)
What are the actions of GH?
Range of activities defined by two broad categories:
- Growth and development (indirect)
- Regulation of metabolism (direct)
What controls the growth in the foetal period and first 8-10 months of life?
Nutritional intake
What controls growth after the first 8-10 months of life?
GH is the dominant influence on the rate at which children grow
What does GH require?
Permissive action of thyroid hormones and insulin before it will stimulate growth.
As thyroid hormones and insulin are permissive to GH, what happens if a child has untreated hypothyroidism or poorly controlled diabetes?
They will have stunted growth despite normal GH levels
What mediates the growth-promoting effects of GH?
Through stimulation of both cell size (hypertrophy) and cell division (hyperplasia) in its many target tissues
Is the effect of GH on growth direct or indirect?
Indirect - achieved via action of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) aka somatomedin C
What is somatomedin C?
Insulin-like growth factor-1
Describe IGF-1
Similar to proinsulin in that int binds to similar insulin receptors and has hypoglycaemic qualities (only uptake of Glc in muscle as liver and adipose tissue has few IGF receptors)
What stimulates the release of IGF-1?
Secreted by the liver in response to GH release, and IGF-1 control GH release through a negative feedback loop
Is IGF-2 function all throughout life?
No, limited to foetus and neonate
How are GH and IGF-1 transported/
They are peptide hormones but are transported in the blood bound to carrier proteins
What is only ~50% of GH in the bound form?
Helps to provide a “reservoir” of GH in the blood which helps to smooth out the effects of the erratic pattern of secretion and extends half life by protecting from excretion in the urine.
How does IGF-1 exhibit a negative feedback loop on GH?
By inhibiting GHRH and stimulating GHIH (somatostatin)
What is another name for somatoSTATIN?
GHIH
What is another name for somatoTROPIN?
GH
Where is GH released from?
The anterior pituitary