Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH): Its Biology and Therapeutic Aspects

GHRH, (also known somatocrinin; Growth Hormone Releasing Factor (GRF); Growth hormone releasing hormone (GRH) and somatorelin) is a 44-amino acid peptide which synthesized in arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in Central Nervous System (CNS) and subsequently released into hypothalamic-pituitary portal vascular system. By binding with GHRH receptors at anterior pituitary gland, GHRH stimulates synthesis and release of Growth Hormone (GH). After Schally, AV et al made his discoveries concerning the peptide hormone production of the brain [1-3], in 1982, GHRH was isolated and sequenced its full length by two groups Rivier, J et al and Guillemin, R et al. from two pancreatic tumors patients beared with acromegaly [4,5], All these discoveries made GHRH knowledge more rapidly acquired by scientists in the following decades. The important roles GHRH played in different biological process, such as energetic metabolism [6], cancer initiation and progression [7], sleep process [8], pituitary hypoplasia and dwarfism [9], also gradually recognized by researchers.