Role of Growth Hormone (GH) and Other Somatotropic Axis Elements in Retinal Neuroprotection

Various pathological conditions can result in retinal degeneration and, in extreme cases, blindness. Unfortunately, current treatments for many of these conditions are not effective, and ongoing research encounters numerous obstacles due to the complex nature of these diseases, which involve multiple simultaneous mechanisms that cannot be controlled by a single factor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose and test new molecules that could exert protective effects at multiple levels. Traditionally, growth hormone (GH) has been viewed as a detrimental factor contributing to develop retinopathies. However, recent investigation has debunked this notion, revealing that GH treatment exerts strong neuroprotective effects during retinal injury. It is crucial to recognize that these actions are not exclusive to GH, since other related molecules may also be involved. Therefore, it is important to collect relevant existing evidence regarding GH axis translational research in order to understand its potential as a therapeutic option for retinal degeneration.