The twelve-man trial behind the anti-ageing claims, and the review that weighed them

Published 24 October 2026 · REVIVE LAB UAE Research Desk · 5 min read
Rudman and colleagues reported in 1990 that twelve men aged over sixty with low IGF-1 who received growth hormone for six months gained lean body mass and lost adipose mass relative to nine untreated men; no functional outcome was measured. In 2007 Liu and colleagues published in the Annals of Internal Medicine a systematic review of thirty-one trials in healthy older adults: lean mass rose modestly, fat fell modestly, strength and other functional measures did not improve, and adverse effects were common. The 1990 paper is widely cited; the 2007 review is the evidence summary.

The 1990 study

Small, unblinded, with body composition as the endpoint. Lean mass and skin thickness increased, fat decreased, lumbar bone density rose slightly. The authors described the changes as equivalent in magnitude to those of a decade or two of ageing, a phrase that was taken far beyond what the data supported. The trial measured composition, not function, health or longevity.

It appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine and was accompanied by an editorial urging caution.

The 2007 review

Thirty-one randomised and controlled studies, about five hundred participants. Pooled results: lean mass up by a little over two kilograms, fat down by about the same, no consistent change in strength, bone density, lipids or quality of life. Soft tissue swelling, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and glucose intolerance were more frequent in treated groups.

The authors concluded the evidence did not support use in healthy older people.

Reading the two together

One is a small early observation; the other is the accumulated evidence it generated. Citing the first without the second describes the question as it stood in 1990. This page does not describe any use of the material.

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Frequently asked

The 1990 study?

Small, unblinded, with body composition as the endpoint. Lean mass and skin thickness increased, fat decreased, lumbar bone density rose slightly. The authors described the changes as equivalent in magnitude to those of a decade or two of ageing, a phrase that was taken far beyond what the data supported. The trial measured composition, not function, health or longevity.

Does REVIVE LAB UAE provide dosing guidance?

No. REVIVE LAB UAE supplies research materials and provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance of any kind. Every product is sold for laboratory research use only and is not for human or veterinary consumption.

How fast is delivery in the UAE?

Stock is held in Dubai. An order confirmed before 4 PM Dubai time is dispatched the same working day, reaching Dubai and Abu Dhabi the same day and the remaining emirates within 24 hours. Delivery is AED 40 flat and free over AED 700.

HGH Somatropin Pack — in stock, dispatched from Dubai
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Supplied for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. REVIVE LAB UAE provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance.