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June 22 (foodconsumer.org) - Researchers have found success with Pfizer, Inc.’s experimental drug capromorelin, which is meant to stimulate growth among hormones.

Two studies, one conducted by doctors associated with the University of Washington and the other team with the University of Poland, shows that hormone stimulation may help the elderly with aging and frailty of bones.

The Poland study showed that adiponectin, a hormone, was found in high concentrations in several 100-year-old women tested in the study. In the other study, which tested the effectiveness of Pfizer, Inc.’s capromorelin, people between the age of 60 and 80 had more spunk and drive after hormones were stimulated.

Some of the improvements to the elderly people in both studies involved more ease when climbing stairs and walking.

"Boosting production of growth hormone may extend the time that elderly men and women can live independently," according to an official press release from the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine.

In the Poland study, under the leadership of Dr. Agnieszka Baranowska-Bik, 133 women were studied at various ages. However, there was an extra emphasis on the 25 women who were between the age of 100 and 102.

The other age levels were: 26 women between 64 and 67 years old, 45 between 20 and 43 years old, and 37 obese women between 26 and 54 years old.

The researchers studied each of the women's level of adiponectin, which is a peptide protein made of fat tissue. The hormone also helps metabolism and the regulation of cholesterol and sugar, according to Forbes.

"We found that our centenarian women were healthier than other elderly women," Baranowska-Bik said, according to Reuters.

However, it should be noted that there is no direct evidence the woman's level of adiponectin was tied to increased health.

In addition, the 100-year-olds were found to have higher levels of insulin and leptin, but lower levels of high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome.

"In addition, these women had significantly lower incidence of high cholesterol and insulin resistance, which are the symptoms of metabolic syndrome," Baranowska-Bik said, according to Forbes.

In the other study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc.'s drug capromorelin was tested on 395 men and women. All of the men and women were either in their 60s, 70s, or 80s.

Another stipulation to be involved in the study was a level of frailty or recent injury due to frailty (such as falling down).

Capromorelin is a hormone stimulation drug that helps the body mimic the youthful vigor found during adolescence.

The study, under the leadership of Dr. George Merriam, used capromorelin and a placebo to test the effects of hormone stimulation. In every single group of people that received capromorelin, an increase in strength and hormone production was found.

"In general, people on the drug had a lot more energy, they had more get up and go," Merriam said, according to The Seattle Times.

The group of people who received capromorelin also showed an average increase in muscle mass by three pounds.

The only side effects that were found to be associated with capromorelin were higher blood sugar and insomnia.

Merriam does doubt whether the drug will be approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Both studies were presented at the meeting of the International Congress of Neuroendocrinology at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburg, Penn. The meeting started on June 19 and continues through June 22.

According to an official University of Pittsburgh Medical Center press release, the following question was answered by the two studies, "What's the secret to living longer? The answer to this age-old question might be found through research looking at neuroendocrine changes throughout the lifespan."

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