Sepsis, surgery and critical illness are associated with an increased catabolic rate, which if prolonged delays recovery and increases morbidity and mortality. There is evidence that changes in the GH/IGF-I axis are permissive to protein catabolism. Critically ill, septic patients have high basal levels of GH, low levels of IGF-I and its carrier binding protein IGFBP-3, high levels of an inhibitory binding protein, IGFBP-I, and increased serum protease activity which reduces the affinity of IGFBP-3 for IGF-I. Overall there is a reduction in the indirect IGF-I-mediated anabolic actions of GH and an increase in the direct catabolic actions of GH. These physiological changes may be adaptive when a sick patient is fasting; however, the availability of modern intensive care means that these changes are no longer an advantage. GH and IGF-I, in pharmacological doses, promote positive nitrogen balance, in both animal models and man. Preliminary studies with IGF-I in postsurgical patients suggest that it may provide a practical therapy. Future studies need to focus on outcome measures in relation to the use of GH and IGF-I as anabolic therapies.