Reactivation of pituitary hormone release and metabolic improvement by infusion of growth hormone-releasing peptide and thyrotropin-releasing hormone in patients with protracted critical illness.

Van den Berghe G, Wouters P, Weekers F, Mohan S, Baxter RC, Veldhuis JD, Bowers CY, Bouillon R

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism1 Apr 1999Cited by 136 (Europe PMC)

PMID10199772DOI10.1210/jcem.84.4.5636PepBankPUB-10199772

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study9

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone9

In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

01HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, 5 days of GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion increased osteocalcin by 19% versus -6% with placebo.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH raised a bone-building marker, compared with placebo.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseOsteocalcin change
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Aging markers · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Osteocalcin change
19%
GHRP-2 plus TRH
Osteocalcin change
−6%
placebo
Source sentences
Summary
After 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH infusion, osteocalcin concentrations increased 19% vs. -6% with placebo, and leptin had rose 32% vs. -15% with placebo.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977201
02HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, 5 days of GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion raised leptin by 32% versus -15% with placebo.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH raised leptin, compared with placebo.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseLeptin change
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Aging markers · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Leptin change
32%
GHRP-2 plus TRH
Leptin change
−15%
placebo
Source sentences
Summary
After 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH infusion, osteocalcin concentrations increased 19% vs. -6% with placebo, and leptin had rose 32% vs. -15% with placebo.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977202
03HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion increased IGF-I to near-normal levels from day 2 onward.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH raised IGF-I to near-normal levels.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseIGF-I levels
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
These anabolic effects were linked to increased IGF-I and GH-dependent IGFBP, which reached near-normal levels from day 2 onward.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977203
04HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion increased GH-dependent IGF-binding proteins to near-normal levels from day 2 onward.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH raised IGF-binding proteins to near-normal levels.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseGH-dependent IGFBP levels
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
These anabolic effects were linked to increased IGF-I and GH-dependent IGFBP, which reached near-normal levels from day 2 onward.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977204
05HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion reduced protein degradation, shown by a drop in the urea/creatinine ratio.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH reduced a marker of protein breakdown.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
DecreaseUrea/creatinine ratio (protein degradation)
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Protein and amino acid metabolism · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
protein degradation was reduced, as indicated by a drop in the urea/creatinine ratio
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977205
06HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion brought thyroid hormone levels near normal from day 2 onward.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH brought thyroid hormone levels close to normal.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseThyroid hormone levels
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Thyroid function · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
with near-normal thyroid hormone levels reached and maintained from day 2 onward.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977206
07HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion reversed the spontaneous tendency of IGFBP-1 to rise.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH reversed a rise in IGFBP-1.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
DecreaseIGFBP-1 tendency to rise
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Concomitantly, a spontaneous tendency of IGFBP-1 to rise
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977207
08HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion reversed the spontaneous tendency of insulin to decrease.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH reversed a fall in insulin.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseInsulin tendency to decrease
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Concomitantly, a spontaneous tendency of IGFBP-1 to rise and of insulin to decrease was reversed.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977208
09HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In patients with protracted critical illness, cortisol concentrations were not detectably altered by GHRP‑2 plus TRH infusion.
In plain wordsIn long-term critically ill patients, GHRP‑2 plus TRH did not change cortisol levels.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol concentrations
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Cortisol concentrations were not detectably altered.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 68 +/- 11 yr), critically ill for 40 +/- 28 days, were compared to a matched group of community-living control subjects at baseline and subsequently received 5 days of placebo and 5 days of GHRP-2 plus TRH (1 + 1 microg/kg x h) infusion in random order.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Report a problemFND-1019977209

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

Reactivation of pituitary hormone release and metabolic improvement by infusion of growth hormone-releasing peptide and thyrotropin-releasing hormone in patients with protracted critical illness.

Summary

Results from this study9

Studies that did not test the peptide alone9

Version history

Subjects

Publication types

MeSH terms