Description

Rh-GH, or Somatropin, is a pure form of recombinant growth hormone produced by either mammalian cells or Escherichia coli. The pituitary gland is where endogenous human growth hormone (hGH) is produced. In 1956, the first growth hormone was isolated, and its structure was identified in 1972. Growth hormone (GH) was previously generated from human cadavers prior to 1985; however, this practice was discontinued due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob virus contamination of the product. Somatropin is approved for use in adults with short bowel syndrome, growth hormone deficiency (GHD), growth failure, or short stature, as well as cachexia and AIDS wasting. In studies for the treatment of HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS), somatropin has been shown to reduce visceral adipose tissue, according to limited short-term data. Several somatropin products are available, all with varying indications and dosage regimens. Care should be taken in product selection as products may not be considered interchangeable. Somatropin was originally approved by the FDA in 1987