Galanin and the control of growth hormone secretion in man

The anterior pituitary hormone growth hormone (GH) has two main functions: the control of tissue growth, largely mediated through its stimulation of peripheral production of the insulin-like growth factor IGF1, and the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This diversity of function is reflected by the complexity of the physiological control system for regulating GH secretion. Galanin may play an important part in this system. This chapter will briefly summarize the control of GH secretion and the evidence for a role for galanin including the results of infusion studies in man.