Researcher is looking at the effect of hCG on nervous system

[Re-Ride]

"When it comes to pain, we're not entirely certain what growth hormone does, but that it affects mainly hard tissue such as bone cartilage," he told Medscape Medical News.

"But we've been extensively studying human chorionic gonadotropin and that looks like it works more importantly in the nervous system and really seems to be becoming an essential compound."

"I'm glad they're studying this, however, because [hormone involvement] is the future of chronic pain, there's no question about it."

Thomas J. Romano, MD, PhD, a pain specialist based in Martins Ferry, Ohio, told Medscape Medical News.
American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) 2015 Annual Meeting. Presented September 19, 2015

The study primarily suggests that patients with fibromyalgia show deficiencies in red blood cell (RBC) magnesium and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a small study shows, suggesting potential clues to underpinnings of the condition and avenues for treatment.

That hCG may has some link to the nervous system is what is of interest here.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/851314

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Thanks for the post!

I have always suspected there is more to HCG than stimulating testicular Leydig cells since it also increases my libido and mood.

I sent Dr Romano and Dr Tennant an email to find out more!

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Intractable Pain

Forest S. Tennant, MD, PhD, [email protected], Veract Intractable Pain Clinic, West Covina, California

Introduction/Statement of Problem: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is comprised of two amino acid sub-units which provide a theoretical basis for use in pain treatment.1-3 One unit contains follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The other unit is an androgenic compound that increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and nitric oxide (NO). Methods and Material: Initially HCG was given in challenge dosages of 500 to 1,000 units to 12 intractable pain patients to determine possible side-effects and a potentially effective dosage regimen. Patients described their pain as severe and constant and it interfered with sleep and eating patterns. All patients required a long-acting opioid for pain suppression and a short-acting opioid for breakthrough pain. All patients gave informed consent via in a protocol approved by an institutional review board. Eight (8) patients who felt positive effects from their challenge dosage within one week continued HCG for over one year in a dosage or 1,000 to 3,000 units a week. Results: No side-effects have been observed. All patients report the following positive effects: increased energy, improved mental concentration and memory, less depression, and fewer pain flares. Seven of the 8 (87.5%) reduced their opioid use by 30 to 50%. Conclusions: The symptom improvement observed here calls for advanced clinical trials and suggests that HCG may correct some of the adverse neuroplasticity associated with severe intractable pain. References: 1)Matura S, Okashi M, Chen HC, et al. Physiochemical and Immunological Characterization of an HCG-Like Substance from Human Pituitary Glands. Nature1980; 286: 740-741. 2)Odell WD, Griffin J. Pulsatile secretion of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Normal Adults. N Engl J Med 1987; 317: 1688-1692. 3)Braunstein GD. Human Chorionic Gonadotopin in William's Textbook of Endocrinology. 10th Ed. Saunders, Philadelphia. 2003; pp800-803.