Evidence supporting the use of: Human growth hormone
For the health condition: Radiation Sickness
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Human growth hormone (HGH) has scientific backing for its use in the treatment of radiation sickness, particularly in the context of research and experimental therapy. After exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, the most critical and life-threatening effects are often due to damage to the bone marrow, leading to pancytopenia (deficiency of all blood cell types). Several preclinical studies, especially in animal models, have demonstrated that administration of growth hormone or related agents can stimulate hematopoietic recovery—essentially helping the bone marrow recover and regenerate blood cells more rapidly.
In 2003, a pivotal study published in PNAS (Maryanski et al.) showed that mice given recombinant human growth hormone after lethal radiation exposure had significantly improved survival rates compared to controls. HGH appeared to enhance the repopulation of various blood cell lineages by stimulating stem and progenitor cell proliferation. Additional small-scale studies and reviews, including some in non-human primates, have supported these findings. However, robust clinical data in humans are lacking, and HGH is not a standard therapy for acute radiation syndrome in humans at this time. Current guidelines from organizations such as the CDC and WHO do not include HGH as a recommended treatment, but it is considered a candidate for further research and may be used on a compassionate or experimental basis in severe cases.
In summary, the use of HGH for radiation sickness is rooted in scientific investigation with animal data supporting its efficacy, but more human trials are needed for definitive validation and widespread adoption.
More about Human growth hormone
More about Radiation Sickness