Treatment of sepsis and septic shock using ghrelin and growth hormone

1 . A method for treating sepsis and/or septic shock in a human subject at least 60 years of age, the method comprising administering to the subject a combination of a ghrelin and a growth hormone in amounts effective to treat sepsis and/or septic shock. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ghrelin has an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein growth hormone has an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ghrelin has an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:1, and wherein growth hormone has an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject prevents or reduces tissue and/or organ injury in the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject prevents or reduces serum elevation of one or more of TNF-α, interleukin-6, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, lactate, creatinine, or high-mobility group box 1 protein. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject prevents or reduces elevation of serum TNF-α. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject prevents or reduces septic shock. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject improves cardiovascular stability, as measured by one or more of improved cardiac output, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, or blood flow. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject improves pulmonary edema. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject improves survival of the subject. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human at least 65 years of age. 
     
     
         15 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising ghrelin and growth hormone formulated in dosage form for treating sepsis and/or septic shock. 
     
     
         16 . A method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating sepsis and/or septic shock, the method comprising formulating ghrelin and growth hormone together in a pharmaceutical composition in amounts effective to treat sepsis and/or septic shock. 
     
     
         17 . A method for reducing organ and/or tissue injury in a subject and/or improving survival of the subject after radiation exposure and sepsis comprising administering to the subject ghrelin in an amount effective to reduce organ and/or tissue injury and/or improve survival, wherein administration of ghrelin reduces serum elevation of one or more of TNF-α, interleukin-6, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase or myeloperoxidase. 
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for treating an inflammatory condition associated with serum elevation of one or more of TNF-α, interleukin-6, aspartate aminotransferase, or alanine aminotransferase in a human subject at least 60 years of age, the method comprising administering to the subject a combination of a ghrelin and a growth hormone in amounts effective to treat the inflammatory condition. 
     
     
         22 . A method for reducing a physiological effect of sepsis in a subject comprising co-administering to the subject a ghrelin and a growth hormone as a ghrelin sensitizer to reduce a physiological effect of sepsis, wherein the growth hormone is administered in an amount effective to enhance ghrelin therapy. 
     
     
         23 . A method for treating an inflammatory condition in a subject associated with serum elevation of one or more of TNF-α, interleukin-6, aspartate aminotransferase, or alanine aminotransferase, comprising co-administering to the subject a ghrelin and a growth hormone as a ghrelin sensitizer to treat the inflammatory condition, wherein the growth hormone is administered in an amount effective to enhance ghrelin therapy. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject reduces serum levels of one or more of TNF-α, interleukin-6, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein co-administering ghrelin and growth hormone to the subject reduces serum levels of one or more of TNF-α, interleukin-6, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase.