A new growth hormone

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has preclinical data suggesting that its isoform of human growth hormone, dubbed NNZ-3006, could be used to treat obesity in adults without the side effects that have prevented the use of the marketed forms of hGH for the condition.

Neuren (ASX:NEU, Auckland, New Zealand) recently said that it has unpublished data in rats showing that NNZ-3006 significantly reduced fat, as do marketed hGHs. But unlike the latter, NNZ-3006 did not lower hematocrit or increase insulin or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Low hematocrit signals fluid retention, while increased insulin and IGF-1 increase the risk of developing Type II diabetes. Impaired insulin sensitivity and fluid retention are both common side effects of marketed hGHs (see "Preclinical Obesity Data," A16). ...