# BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF GHRH AND MELATONIN IN AGING

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 1992 · $120,818

## Abstract

Loss of physiological adaptability is one of the hallmarks of old age.
As neuroendocrine and circadian systems are intimately involved with
adaptation, the declining functional integrity of these systems with
increasing age may play an important role in the development of physical
frailty, disrupted sleep pattern, a shift from balanced
anabolism/catabolism toward a catabolic state and a decreased circadian
amplitude of core body temperature (BT(c)).  Evidence can be marshalled
that attenuation of the GH-IGF-I axis (growth hormone-insulin-like growth
factor-1) and nocturnal melatonin secretion in aging men and women
contribute to these changes.  GH and its peripheral tissue mediator,
IGF-I, are important promoters of increased bone and muscle mass and
reduced body fat.  Nocturnal melatonin levels are inversely coupled with
the nadir of BT(c) and melatonin appears to be responsible for 40% of
BT(c) decline at night.  Both melatonin and BT(c) are robust circadian
markers and are physiologically important as they monitor the
environmental cue (melatonin) and internal cue (BT(c)).  Thus, melatonin
may function to augment circadian stability. In the present proposal,
experiments have been designed to test the hypothesis that in aging men
and women activation of the GH-IGF-I axis by nightly administration (sc)
of GHRH will induce anabolism and that melatonin administration will
improve the circadian amplitude of BT(c), the quality of sleep and
well-being and possibly augment nocturnal GH secretion.  Finally, the
potential of a synergistic effect of melatonin and GHRH on the above
variables will be determined.

The proposed studies consist of two phases with the overall aim being the
restoration of the relative deficient GH-IGF-I axis and melatonin rhythm.
Phase 1 will be conducted in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized
factorial design with 30 subjects in each of the 4 cells (melatonin,
GHRH, GHRH + melatonin, placebo) and with equal numbers of men and women
to discern gender differences; phase II constitutes an open trial of the
most effective agent(s) derived from phase I studies to determine the
long-term (1 year) benefits and to insure safety sufficient for clinical
application in the aging population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3122950
- **Project number:** 1R01AG010979-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** UYTTZT6G9DT1
- **Principal Investigator:** SAMUEL S YEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $120,818
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1992-09-30 → 1995-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3122950

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3122950, BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF GHRH AND MELATONIN IN AGING (1R01AG010979-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3122950. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*