Natural Source: Human growth hormone (hGH) is naturally secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and is a single-chain polypeptide composed of 191 amino acids.
Early Extraction Era (1950s-1985): Initially extracted from the pituitary glands of deceased individuals (pHGH). Although effective in treating dwarfism, its clinical use was banned by the FDA and many countries worldwide in 1985 due to donor shortages, high purification difficulty, and the risk of carrying Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD, a fatal prion disease).
Gene Recombination Era (1985-Present): Using recombinant DNA technology, a 191-amino acid-encoding hGH gene fragment is inserted into E. coli or mammalian cells, causing it to express a protein with 100% identical structure to the natural human protein. Eli Lilly pioneered this technology in 1986, and China successfully synthesized it in 1988, making it the only safe and legal source currently available.
Type: Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (rhGH)
Amino Acid Length: 191 (distinct from the earlier 192aa/Met-hGH)
Molecular Weight: Approximately 22,125 Da (Molecular Formula: C990H1528N262O300S7)
CAS: 12629-01-5 (Common CAS)
Appearance: White or off-white lyophilized powder (clinically, mostly for injection, requires refrigeration)
Potential: 1 mg anhydrous protein ≈ 3.0 IU (International Units)
Isoelectric Point: pH ~5.5
Storage Conditions: Refrigerate at 2–8°C (lyophilized product); after reconstitution, it usually needs to be refrigerated away from light and used within the specified time.
Growth Promotion: Stimulates the differentiation and proliferation of epiphyseal chondrocytes, promoting linear bone growth (childhood).
Protein Synthesis and Nitrogen Retention: Promotes amino acid uptake and protein synthesis, reduces protein breakdown, and increases lean body mass.
Lipolysis: Promotes the breakdown of adipose tissue (lipolysis), reducing body fat percentage, especially visceral fat.
Glucose Metabolism Regulation: Antagonizes insulin action (raises blood sugar); long-term or high-dose use can induce insulin resistance.
Mineral Metabolism: Promotes the retention of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, etc., which is beneficial for bone mineralization.
Indirect Effects: Primarily mediated by IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) produced by tissues such as the liver, promoting growth and partially anabolizing metabolism.
Completely Identical Structure: Recombinant 191aa has the same amino acid sequence and spatial structure as the natural human hGH, with extremely low immunogenicity (antibody production rate <1%), making it less likely to cause allergies.
Controllable Safety: Eliminates the risk of viral contamination (such as CJD) from cadaver extraction.
**Efficacy:** Within approved indications (such as growth hormone deficiency (GHD), Turner syndrome, and children with chronic renal insufficiency), it can significantly improve final height, metabolic indicators, and quality of life.
**Mature Technology:** Technologies such as E. coli secretory expression have significantly reduced costs and improved purity and activity.
**Injection Administration:** Usually administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, requiring frequent and long-term administration, causing inconvenience and pain for patients (especially children).
**Metabolic Side Effects:** Common side effects include water and sodium retention (edema of hands and feet, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome), muscle pain; it can cause insulin resistance or hyperglycemia, and long-term high doses may induce diabetes.
**Other Risks:** Hypothyroidism (requires monitoring), intracranial hypertension (rare), and femoral head slippage may occur; it is contraindicated in patients with active tumors or a history of cancer because GH/IGF-1 has mitogenic effects and may stimulate tumor cell growth.
** High Risk of Abuse: Often illegally abused by athletes or fitness enthusiasts, potentially leading to serious consequences such as acromegaly (in adults), heart problems, and organ enlargement.
Children: Growth hormone deficiency (GHD), Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, idiopathic short stature (in some countries/guidelines), growth and development disorders caused by chronic renal insufficiency, etc.
Adults: Adults with growth hormone deficiency (often caused by pituitary tumor surgery, trauma, radiation therapy, etc.), used to improve body composition (muscle gain and fat loss), bone density, lipid metabolism, and quality of life.
Prescription Red Line: Must be prescribed by a specialist physician (endocrinologist, pediatric growth and development clinic), and regular monitoring of IGF-1 levels, blood glucose, thyroid function, fundus examination, etc. is required.
Contraindications: Known malignant tumors (especially brain tumors), active proliferative retinopathy (diabetes), allergies to excipients; generally not recommended for pregnant women.
Injection Techniques: Typically administered subcutaneously before bedtime each night (simulating physiological pulses), with injection sites rotated; avoid vigorous shaking during reconstitution.
Black Market Risks: "HGH 191aa" purchased from non-medical channels often carries the risk of counterfeiting, contamination, insufficient potency, or adulteration with other substances (such as insulin), posing an extreme danger.
Endocrine Cornerstone Model: A classic tool molecule for studying the pituitary-liver-IGF-1 axis, metabolic regulation, and aging mechanisms.
Metabolic and Aging Research: Used to explore the role of growth hormone in lipid metabolism, glucose tolerance, skeletal muscle regeneration, and neuroprotection (BDNF association).
Pharmaceutical Process Benchmark: As one of the earliest protein drugs to be industrialized on a large scale using recombinant DNA technology, its expression, folding, and purification processes laid the foundation for subsequent biologics (such as insulin, interferon, and monoclonal antibodies).
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