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It has been ten years since the National Hormone and Pituitary Program (then called the National Pituitary Agency) sponsored a symposium on human growth hormone (hGH). Numerous advances have occurred during this period. This book does not attempt to summarize past achievements. Rather, it deals with the contemporary issues in hGH research. A discussion of the present state of the art, of necessity, includes a review of the past. Some of the topics herein discussed include the following: 1. Growth hormone releasing factor (GRF). In 1973, the growth hormone inhibitory factor (somatostatin) had recently been discovered. The search for a releasing factor in humans led to its discovery not in the pituitary but in a pancreatic tumor that secreted growth hormone. The advances are discussed in this book. The current hope is that GRF will eventually become an effective therapeutic agent for idiopathic hypopituitarism in childhood and adolescence. 2. Biosynthesis of hGR by recombinant DNA technology. Current advances are discussed. Although hGH is not yet an approved drug, it will eventually become one. This will broaden our horizons in terms of hGH effectiveness in disorders other than hypopituitary dwarfism. The current experience with this type of hGH in both the Vnited States and Europe is reviewed by several authors.

This issue of Endocrinology Clinics, authored by experts worldwide, provides essential updates about insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). The physiology is examined, including the latest in what we have learned from animal models as well as humans. The issue also covers IGFs and IGF system in the following: growth disorders; adipogenesis and obesity; muscle function and disease; bone; cancer; cardiac function and disease; normal and diseased kidney; peripheral nervous systems; gastrointestinal diseases; diabetes and metabolism; and IGF-1 central/degenerative diseases.

The book will detail the history, successes, and failures of targeted therapies for cancer, with a particular focus on IGF systems and cancer.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), their binding proteins and their receptors play important roles in regulating growth, metabolism, proliferation and survival for many cells and tissues throughout lifespan in humans and other species. Circulating IGF1 is known to be an endocrine regulator, with metabolic effects related to, and partly convergent with, insulin signalling. IGF1 also mediates many of the growth promoting effects of GH, and there is an ongoing debate as to the relative contributions of endocrine-, vs locally-derived IGF1 for systemic growth. More recently however, it has become clear that IGFs may be key local growth and cellular survival factors for many different tissues, active from early in embryonic development, essential for normal maturation and growth during foetal life. IGFs continue to play important roles throughout adult life in many diverse processes such as tissue repair, cellular proliferation, tissue remodelling and metabolic regulation. IGF systems are tightly regulated; orderly control of cellular repair and metabolism is central to healthy ageing, whilst uncontrolled proliferation can lead to cancer.

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology, and enzyme mechanisms. Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines.This volume focuses on insulin and IGFs. - Longest running series published by Academic Press - Contributions by leading international authorities

The IGF system pervades the fields of development, linear and cellular growth and metabolism. Not only is the functional integrity of the IGF system crucial for normal linear growth and metabolism, it is also of fundamental importance for normal fetal development. This book consists of a compilation of chapters based on presentations at a symposium entitled ‘IGFs and IGFBPs: Assessment and Therapeutic Benefit'. Highly qualified basic scientists and endocrinologists report new advances in the broad field of IGF physiology and pathophysiology, related to clinical medicine. New and topical areas of the IGF field are covered, focussing particularly on clinically relevant topics related to growth, pediatric and adult growth hormone deficiency, metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus and neurology. Molecular and developmental defects are discussed, as are the contributions to clinical diagnosis and management of measurement of IGFs and IGFBPs. The therapeutic potential of recombinant human IGFs and IGFBPs in a range of disorders is also covered. The present volume of Endocrine Development will be of particular interest to scientists and clinicians working in IGF and IGF-related fields and to clinicians working in both pediatric and adult endocrinology and metabolism.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a widely expressed growth factor with diverse effects on many tissues throughout development and in adult life. The purpose of this work is to provide detailed and updated information on the role of the growth hormone (GH)-IGF axis in fetal and postnatal development, as well as its physiological functions and implications in pathology.

An invaluable book containing a series of interdisciplinary discussions between clinical and basic scientists. Biology of IGF-1: Its interaction with insulin and health and malignant states focuses on key issues such as: the definition of danger zones the development of methods for early recognition of malignant states linked to IGF-1 and/or insulin possible approaches to preventative intervention the relevance in this field of research to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to treating certain cancers.

Hormonal Proteins and Peptides: Growth Factors, Volume XII focuses on the chemistry and biology of nerve growth factor (NGF), insulin-like growth factors/somatomedins/multiplication-stimulating activity (IGFs/SMs/MSA), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and skeletal growth factor (SGF). This book discusses the development of growth factors in cell proliferation, differentiation, and malignancy. Organized into eight chapters, this volume starts with an overview of the findings on the structural and biological properties of NGF. This text then discusses the identical amino acid sequences of IFG-I and SM-c and explains as well the similarities in the structure of IFG-II and MSA. Other chapters present a thorough discussion of human PDGF, with emphasis on the link between the PDGF and the simian sarcoma virus gene product. This book discusses as well the mechanism of action of the pituitary and brain FGF. The final chapter deals with the discovery, isolation, and characterization of the biological activities of epidermal growth factor (EGF). This book is a valuable resource for biochemists, endocrinologists, and physicians.

The Endocrinology of Growth, Development, and Metabolism in Vertebrates provides an overview of vertebrate endocrinology. This book aims to strengthen the bridge between medical and comparative endocrinologists by addressing the benefits that they can derive from this association. Organized into five parts encompassing 24 chapters, this volume starts with a discussion on the structure and biological function of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) family. This book then explains the extrinsic, genetic, and humoral factors that influence animal growth, particularly in poikilotherms. This text also elaborates the environmental conditions that affect the growth of poikilotherms, including food availability, temperature, and photoperiod. Other chapters discuss how somatotropin affects the growth development in homeotherms, such as livestock species. The reader is also introduced to the metabolic actions of GH, which can be described in terms of short-lived insulin-like effects. Endocrinologists, molecular endocrinologists, biologists, molecular biologists, biochemists, researchers, and physicians will find this book extremely useful.