Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a hypophysiotropic hormone produced by neurons in the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin from the anterior pituitary.
"TRH" redirects here. For other uses, see TRH (disambiguation).thyrotropin-releasing hormone
TRH
C16H22N6O4
362.390 g·mol−1
TRH has been used clinically for the treatment of spinocerebellar degeneration and disturbance of consciousness in humans.[1] Its pharmaceutical form is called protirelin (INN) (/proʊˈtaɪrɪlɪn/).
History[edit]
The structure of TRH was first determined, and the hormone synthesized, by Roger Guillemin and Andrew V. Schally in 1969.[4][5] Both parties insisted their labs determined the sequence first: Schally first suggested the possibility in 1966, but abandoned it after Guillemin proposed TRH was not actually a peptide. Guillemin's chemist began concurring with these results in 1969, as NIH threatened to cut off funding for the project, leading both parties to return to work on synthesis.[6]
Schally and Guillemin shared the 1977 Nobel Prize in Medicine "for their discoveries concerning the peptide hormone production of the brain."[7] News accounts of their work often focused on their "fierce competition" and use of a very large amount of sheep and pig brains to locate the hormone.[6]
Clinical significance[edit]
TRH is used clinically by intravenous injection (brand name Relefact TRH) to test the response of the anterior pituitary gland; this procedure is known as a TRH test. This is done as diagnostic test of thyroid disorders such as secondary hypothyroidism and in acromegaly.
TRH has anti-depressant and anti-suicidal properties,[8] and in 2012 the U.S. Army awarded a research grant to develop a TRH nasal spray in order to prevent suicide amongst its ranks.[9][10] The antidepressant properties of TRH are present when TRH is administered intrathecally, or administration into the spine, and the effects are short-lived.[8] Some researchers are testing a prodrug approach to administer TRH orally and have TRH reach the brain without being degraded in the stomach or blood.[11]
TRH has been shown in mice to be an anti-aging agent with a broad spectrum of activities that, because of their actions, suggest that TRH has a fundamental role in the regulation of metabolic and hormonal functions.[12]
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
Side effects[edit]
Side effects after intravenous TRH administration are minimal.[13] Nausea, flushing, urinary urgency, and mild rise in blood pressure have been reported.[14] After intrathecal administration, shaking, sweating, shivering, restlessness, and mild rise in blood pressure were observed.[8]
