The many faces of human growth hormone.

The story of human growth hormone (hGH) is colorful by drug industry standards. HGH, also known as somatropin, was first used to treat stunted growth in children. Later is was used in people with HIV disease to treatment the gauntness of AIDS-related wasting and, more recently, the fat accumulations associated with lipodystrophy. HGH also may play a role in immune reconstitution. Outside the field of HIV, this very expensive therapy has multiple indications. Unapproved uses for hGH run the gamut from muscle enhancer to purported cure-all. Not surprisingly, the man-made hormone does not always perform as desired. Yet new research into how hGH may fit into the future of HIV disease management warrants another look at this unusual drug.