Human Growth Hormone (HGH) May Be Solution for Both Obesity and Bone Density
March 2, 2006 New York, NY -- Recent research from Mount Sinai Hospital lend hope to a drug, code named AOD9604, that could potentially reduce weight and increase bone density.
AOD9604 is a small fragment at the end of the entire HGH molecule and works on fat metabolism. Typically HGH breaks down in the blood into smaller peptide fragments which work in many places in the body. In this research, the serendipitous finding was that the drug reduced average weight gain in laboratory rats by around 50% while maintaining their bone mass and density.
HGH Is Hormone Produced Naturally by the Pituitary Bland
Released by the pituitary gland in the brain, HGH is effectively three hormones in one. It regulates the balance between muscle and fat; influences sensitivity to insulin — a key factor in diabetes.
The basis for the HGH findings was developed at Monash University by biochemist, Professor Frank Ng and his team in Victoria Australia. The commercial development of AOD9604 is being pursued by Melbourne Australia's Metabolic Pharmaceuticals.
The Mount Sinai Hospital researchers dosed the female rats (who had their ovaries removed to be menopausal) daily with 50 milligrams of the drug. They found that, in addition to reducing weight gain, it also completely prevented loss of bone mass and density.
Metabolic Pharmaceuticals believes the drug may have applications in obesity and possibly osteoporosis. Of this most recent research, Metabolic's CEO, Dr Roland Scollay told The Age, "They made comprehensive measurements of bone strength, including mass, mineral density and resistance to different types of fractures."
Scollay also said the hormone reduces obesity by tipping the body's metabolic balance towards producing lean muscle tissue instead of fat; and it also has direct effects on bone density.
Baby Boomers Entering Menopause
Dr Scollay said that, in 2004, the global market for osteoporosis drugs was estimated at $4 billion and was rising steeply as increasing numbers of baby-boomer women entered menopause.
He said obesity and osteoporosis are linked: vigorous exercise stimulates production of HGH, resulting in a lean, muscular body and improved bone mass and density.
Levels of HGH decline steeply after the first two decades of life, a time when people become increasingly sedentary, gain weight as fat and lose bone density.
Source: Graeme O'Neill of The Age
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