Chapter 8. Hormones

Summary

While the exact regulatory mechanisms of hormonal regulation remain elusive, it has been known for more than a quarter of a century that peptide and protein hormones, purified from animals or human sources, can be used to ameliorate hormone imbalance. Some of these examples include insulin, glucagon, growth, and parathyroid hormones, extracted from animal and cadaver tissues. The ability to synthesize recombinant protein hormones has allowed greater access and safety margins to treatment and the exploration of new uses for familiar hormones as well as novel hormone products. Specific information of hormone therapeutics is included in the monographs within this chapter. The development of designer hormones with alterations in amino acid sequence resulting in changes in pharmacokinetics and differences in biological activity represents the next step in hormone therapeutics.