Sex-Steroid Interactions with Growth Hormone presents the proceedings of an international symposium held from October 22-25 in Naples, Florida. The proceedings provide new insights and concepts gained by molecular, cellular and neuroendocrine research into mechanistic interactions of the reproductive and somatotrophic axes. Chapters include discussions of the impact of sex steroids on growth hormone secretion in both children and adults; sex steroids, growth hormone releasing factor, and somatostatin; how sex steroids modulate growth hormone action on target issues; and differential effects of growth hormone secretagogues in men and women. This volume is designed for physicians, scientists and other health professionals interested or trained in clinical and basic endocrinology, growth or reproduction.

Sex steroids have important physiological actions, which are not limited to reproductive organs, in both females and males. They exert important physiological roles, including the regulation of somatotropic-liver axis, intermediate metabolism, or gender dimorphism. This is in part because the liver is a sex steroid-responsive organ where sex steroid- and growth hormone (GH)-dependent signaling pathways connect to regulate complex gene expression networks. Sex steroids can impact liver gene expression by a direct, through hepatic estrogen receptor (ER)α and androgen receptor (AR), or indirect mechanisms, by modulation of pituitary GH secretion and/or interaction with the GHR-STAT5b signaling pathway. Therefore, deficiency of sex steroid- and GH-dependent signaling pathways might cause a dramatic impact on mammalian liver physiology. In this chapter, we will focus our attention on main concepts and paradigms involved in the role and interplay between sex steroid- and GH-dependent signaling to regulate gene expression networks in the mammalian liver. A better understanding of how sex steroids and interactions with GH-STAT5b signaling pathway influence physiological and pathological states in the liver will contribute to improve clinical management of patients with disorders in body growth, development, and metabolism.

It is the object of this series of monographs to present the experiments and interpre tations of a given laboratory. We have attempted in this volume to present our view of receptor-steroid interactions and their relation to steroid-induced responses. This view is necessarily biased by our own experimental results. While we have tried to in clude the views and results of others, this volume is not meant to be comprehensive. Rather it is selective and examines those topics within the general field of steroid hor mone action which we have addressed at the laboratory bench. The work reviewed in this volume would not exist without the help and support of many associates. Our mentors included Jorge Awapara, Jack Gorski, Henry Komer, Bill Ray, and Mike Zarrow. Associates instrumental in this work include George Barr, John Burgner, Sam Campbell, Constance Cardasis, Hitkan Eriksson, Stan Glasser, Jim Hardin, Mohammed Kalimi, Bruce Lester, Barry Markavarich, Shirley McCormick, Tony Means, Dan Medina, Ann Miller, Bert O'Malley, Helen Padyku la, Zigmund Paszko, Dale Snow, Susan Upchurch and Marian Walters. Students who have contributed to this effort include John Anderson, Joe DeLibero, Aaron Hsueh, Katrina Kelner, Debbie Metzger, Randy Richards, Jim Schaeffer, Mike Tytell, Lane von Brunt, and Cheryl Watson. Technicians without whose assistance this work could not exist include Toni Cetti, Wendy D'Attilio, Jeanie Haselby, Lily Hsueh, Helen Hyland, Jim Kovar, Kathy O'Connor, and Peggy Sansone."

Breast and prostate cancers are both hormone-dependent, at least in some stages of their progression. Hormonal manipulation represents an important therapeutic approach. Although most of breast and prostate cancers initially respond to hormone therapy, most tumors reinitiate to growth. Finally, hormone-resistant and metastatic breast and prostate cancers may develop. Thus, the challenge is the dissection of mechanisms by which steroid receptor signaling pathways continue to influence cell growth and invasiveness. Compelling evidence indicates that steroid hormones elicit non-genomic responses in extra-nuclear compartment of target cells. In this cellular location, steroid-coupled receptors rapidly recruit signaling effectors or scaffold proteins and activate multiple pathways leading to proliferation, survival, migration and invasiveness. The immediate challenge is the dissection of key events regulating the steroid response of target tissues to prevent progression and improve treatment of breast and prostate cancers.

It has been known for over 40 years that GH-deficient-children benefit from replacement with the hormone. But GH, essential for longitudinal growth, also plays a role after completion of final height. With the introduction of biosynthetic human GH 20 years ago, the use of GH was no longer restricted to severe growth retardation in hypopituitary children. This book will take the reader behind the myths of GH and into the real world of clinical endocrinology. The contributions stem from recognized clinicians and scientists who have been working in the field for decades. The contents encompass traditional end points of GH therapy such as body composition, bone biology and physical performance. Attention is also devoted to diagnostic aspects and side effects. Additional features range from clinical epidemiology to quality of life, and novel areas such as the impact of traumatic brain injury on pituitary function are also covered. The present volume of Frontiers of Hormone Research is essential reading for health care professionals interested in clinical endocrinology and GH.

This revised new edition reviews the substantial advances in our understanding of the vital role of growth hormone (GH) in maintaining adult health, and the resulting disorders from GH deficiency. The first edition, published in 1996, provided a pioneering overview of the subject; this new edition provides an even more comprehensive account, fully updated with the latest research, clinical applications, and references. The therapeutic benefits of GH treatment in GH deficiency are thoroughly evaluated, including effects on metabolism, cardiac function, exercise performance, psychosocial aspects, and aging and gender-specific effects. This compilation by the world's leading experts covers clinical investigation, diagnosis and treatment issues, and encompasses new knowledge of the control and action of GH secretion. This volume is the most authoritative, comprehensive, and detailed account available and will be an essential source of reference for all endocrinologists.