Results of a recent study suggest that growth hormone may be able to ward off AIDS by boosting the immune system and stimulating the production of T cells. Researchers found that a daily dose of growth hormone led to a significant increase in circulating T cells in the five HIV-positive men involved in the study. Study leader Dr Laura Napolitano, said: "Finding a way to stimulate the thymus to produce T cells would help HIV-infected patients to preserve and restore their embattled immune systems." The researchers are now planning a larger study to compare the health of HIV patients taking growth hormone with others not being treated with the hormone.

SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 12th July 2002