Oral MK-677 Boosts Growth Hormone in GH-Deficient Adults, Even Those Severely Deficient | Research

The takeaway

Oral MK-677 stimulated the GH/IGF-I axis in severely GH-deficient adults, though responses varied and depended on residual pituitary function.

Oral GH stimulation in deficiency
MK-677 boosted GH/IGF-I in adults with peak GH as low as 0.02-4.79 µg/L, depending on residual pituitary capacity

What the researchers found

Oral MK-677 stimulated GH and IGF-I in selected severely GH-deficient adults, with responses dependent on residual pituitary secretory capacity.

Why it matters

If MK-677 can stimulate GH production in GH-deficient patients, some could potentially switch from daily GH injections to an oral pill, dramatically improving quality of life.

How the study worked

Nine severely GH-deficient men (peak GH to insulin: 1.2 ± 1.5 µg/L, range 0.02-4.79) received oral MK-677. GH and IGF-I responses were measured.

What this study cannot tell us

Very small study (9 patients). Only men. Severely GH-deficient population limits generalizability. Variable responses suggest patient selection criteria are needed.

How to read the evidence

Moderate clinical evidence from a small but well-characterized GH-deficient population. Variable responses highlight the need for patient selection.

When this study was published

Published in 1997, this study expanded MK-677's clinical evidence from healthy subjects to GH-deficient patients.

The bigger picture

This study demonstrated the potential for oral MK-677 as an alternative to GH injections in selected GH-deficient adults, depending on their residual pituitary function.

Questions still open

What level of residual pituitary function is needed for MK-677 to work?
Could MK-677 replace GH injections in patients with partial GH deficiency?

Common questions

Can MK-677 work if you're severely GH-deficient?

It depends. MK-677 stimulates the pituitary to release GH it has already produced. If the pituitary retains some function (even in severe deficiency), MK-677 can boost GH output. But if the pituitary is completely non-functional, MK-677 has nothing to stimulate.

Could this replace GH injections?

For some patients with partial pituitary function, possibly. An oral pill is far more convenient than daily injections. However, patients with complete GH deficiency (no residual pituitary function) would still need GH replacement injections.

Read the original research

Oral administration of growth hormone (GH) releasing peptide-mimetic MK-677 stimulates the GH/insulin-like growth factor-I axis in selected GH-deficient adults.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 82(10), 3455-63

View on PubMed ↗

Citation

Chapman, I M; Pescovitz, O H; Murphy, G; Treep, T; Cerchio, K A; Krupa, D; Gertz, B; Polvino, W J; Skiles, E H; Pezzoli, S S; Thorner, M O. (1997). Oral administration of growth hormone (GH) releasing peptide-mimetic MK-677 stimulates the GH/insulin-like growth factor-I axis in selected GH-deficient adults.. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 82(10), 3455-63.