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Horm Metab Res 2005; 37: 44-48
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-861362
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Growth Hormone Hypothesis - 2005 Revision

J.  Frystyk1
  • 1 Medical Research Laboratories & Medical Department M, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Further Information

Publication History

Received 8 December 2004

Accepted after Revision 21 February 2005

Publication Date:
25 May 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) have been suggested to play a leading role in the development of diabetic retinopathy for more than three decades [1]. At the time of writing, there is a substantial amount of experimental data supporting a role of GH and IGF-I in the development of diabetic retinopathy, whereas clinical trials have yielded variable results. However, both hormones, with IGF-I as the ringleader, remain under suspicion as pathogenic agents. This mini-review will discuss the current literature on the possible involvement of GH and IGF-I in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Hopefully, the reader will agree that although the indictment against GH and IGF-I has celebrated its 34th anniversary, it is still attractive from a scientific point of view.

Key words

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy - GH - IGF-I - Pegvisomant - Somatostatin analogues - GH hypothesis

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J. Frystyk, M. D., Ph. D., D. M. Sc.

Medical Research Laboratory, Aarhus University Hospital

Norrebrogade 44 · 8000 Aarhus C · Denmark

Email: jan@frystyk.dk

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