Franco Salomon Research Study - London, England ( 1989 )

The Effects of Treatment with Recombinant Human Growth Hormone
on Body Composition and Metabolism in Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency
Salomon, Franco; Cuneo, RC; Hesp, R; Sönksen, PH.

The Research Study

In 1989, Dr. Franco Salomon and colleagues, performed a clinical research study in London, England. It lasted for a period of six months. They also gave Synthetic Human Growth Hormone ( HGH ) to a group of twenty four ( 24 ) adults. Each of these had been selected for testing, because they all had low levels of Growth Hormone ( GH ) in their bodies. In some ways, this was similar to the break-through research study led by Dr. Daniel Rudman around the very same time.

This study was a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Research Trial. According to their final report and analysis, most of the individuals studied had developed a deficiency in their levels of Growth Hormone during adulthood. It was specifically noted that they all had previously received medical treatment for tumors in their Pituitary Glands ( where Growth Hormone is made and then stored ).

Additionally, each of those patients who participated in this study were receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy ( HRT ) for either Thyroid Glands, Adrenal Glands or Gonadal Glands.

The medical research team studied the effects of treating these patients with specific amounts of Synthetic Human Growth Hormone.  These patients were given a dose of recombinant Human Growth Hormone ( r-HgH ) at 0.07 U per kg of body weight, given under the skin at bedtime.

The Results

The mean plasma concentration of the [ Growth Hormone ] Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 ( IGF-1 ) increased from 0.41 ( ±0.05 ) to 1.53 ( ±0.16 ) U per liter during the administration of the treatment, in those receiving the treatment.

Likewise, their mean Lean Body Mass increased by over 10%, while at the same time, there was a 7% decrease in Fat Mass, in the group of adults treated with the Growth Hormone. However, none of these three measurements changed significantly in the placebo group of patients who were not given the treatment.

Moreover, the base Metabolic Rate, in those given the treatment, had also increased significantly. And still more, during this same time, their fasting plasma cholesterol levels had decreased. The group who received the treatment also had observable improvements in both strength and exercise, whereas before this study, these markers had been below normal.

The Conclusions

Based on the positive results of the administration of the treatment plan using the Synthetic HGH, the researchers made the following conclusion in their published medical report:

"We conclude that Growth Hormone has a role in the regulation of body composition in adults, probably through its anabolic and lipolytic actions."