ThatDewd
Iron
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GABA is the brain's major inhibitor neurotransmitter, but it also acts outside the CNS as a signaling molecule. Gaba receptors are actually expressed by growth-plate chondrocytes. Animal/cell studies found both GABA-A and GABA-B receptors in proliferative and hypertrophic chondrocytes, activating these receptors increased proliferation of chondrogenic cells. GABA-B receptors also interact with the calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) and influence PLC/ERK1/2 signaling, chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. So there is a genuine GABA → growth-plate signaling pathway.
2026 retrospective cohort studied GABA + GnRHa versus GnRHa alone in 150 children with growth retardation/CPP or early-fast puberty. After 12 months, the GABA group had a mean predicted adult height increase of 3cm vs 0.25cm, giving a difference of 2.75cm (95% CI 2.55-2.95). Growth velocity also became higher from months 3-6 months onward. But this was retrospective and non-randomized, so 2.75cm is a change in predicted adult height, final adult height was not measured.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13351637/
GABA increased proliferation/anabolic markers in C28/I2 cells, a laboratory line of human-derived chondrocytes.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10785157/
Systemically, GABA has been reported to increase GH secretion. 3g of GABA led to a 375% increase in GH over a 90 minute period compared to placebo.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18091016/
It is also particularly interesting that GABA is also produced within the growth plate itself, suggesting it isn't only a brain neurotransmitter.
GABA even has effects on osteoblast and periosteal apposition.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38084676/
2026 retrospective cohort studied GABA + GnRHa versus GnRHa alone in 150 children with growth retardation/CPP or early-fast puberty. After 12 months, the GABA group had a mean predicted adult height increase of 3cm vs 0.25cm, giving a difference of 2.75cm (95% CI 2.55-2.95). Growth velocity also became higher from months 3-6 months onward. But this was retrospective and non-randomized, so 2.75cm is a change in predicted adult height, final adult height was not measured.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13351637/
GABA increased proliferation/anabolic markers in C28/I2 cells, a laboratory line of human-derived chondrocytes.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10785157/
Systemically, GABA has been reported to increase GH secretion. 3g of GABA led to a 375% increase in GH over a 90 minute period compared to placebo.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18091016/
It is also particularly interesting that GABA is also produced within the growth plate itself, suggesting it isn't only a brain neurotransmitter.
GABA even has effects on osteoblast and periosteal apposition.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38084676/
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