Cardiopulmonary adaptation to exercise after acute weight loss in severely obese subjects.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects on baseline and exercise cardiopulmonary function and metabolic parameters of an acute (3-4 weeks) loss of at least 10% of initial weight in severely obese patients. Eight obese patients, 3 males and 5 females, mean age +/- SEM 42 +/- 6 yrs, body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg.m-2, underwent two cardiopulmonary function tests separated by 3 weeks of very low calorie protein-sparing diet (589 kcal.day-1) and a weight loss of 10% of initial weight (mean 8.43 +/- 0.72 kg). Eight normal subjects, matched for sex and age with the obese patients, served as controls. In the obese subjects, maximal workload (+15 +/- 3.6 W) and maximal oxygen consumption (V' O2) (+188 +/- 40.5 mL.min-1) were significantly increased after weight loss. Interestingly, exercise capacity at anaerobic threshold was not significantly different in obese subjects after weight loss with respect to normal subjects. Our results show that an acute but significant weight loss obtained with a very low calorie diet in obese patients is able to significantly improve maximal V' O2 and V' CO2 at anaerobic threshold. Moreover, this acute weight loss is able to partially reverse all of the cardiopulmonary alterations seen in obese patients both at baseline and during exercise.

Comparison of the effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone and hexarelin, a novel growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 analog, on growth hormone secretion in humans with or without glucocorticoid excess.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of hexarelin, a novel GH-releasing peptide-6 analog, and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) (alone or in combination) on GH secretion in adult patients with increased somatostatin tone due to chronic glucocorticoid excess. We studied seven adult patients undergoing long-term (no less than 6 months) immunosuppressive glucocorticoid treatment for non-endocrine diseases (six females and one male, age range 42-68 years) and one subject (female, age 31 years) with endogenous hypercortisolism due to adrenal adenoma. Six normal subjects (four females and two males) matched for sex and age with the patients and not undergoing any therapy served as controls. All the subjects underwent the following three tests in random order: (1) human GHRH (1-29)NH2 (100 micrograms in 1 ml saline) injected as an i.v. bolus at 0 min, (2) hexarelin (100 micrograms in 1 ml saline) injected as an i.v. bolus at 0 min and (3) hexarelin (100 micrograms in 1 ml of saline) plus GHRH (100 micrograms in 1 ml saline) injected as an i.v. bolus at 0 min. After GHRH alone the patients with glucocorticoid excess showed a blunted GH response as compared with normal subjects (median delta GH: 0.9, range 0-5.6 micrograms/l vs 7:1, range 0.3-14.9 micrograms/l). No significant differences were observed in the steroid-treated group with respect to normal subjects after hexarelin alone (median delta GH: 15.5, range 1.9-45.2 micrograms/l vs 17.9, range 5.5-53.9 micrograms/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hexarelin, a novel GHRP-6 analog, counteracts the inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone on growth hormone secretion in acromegaly.

Hexarelin (His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) is a GHRP-6 analog with the substitution of D-tryptophan with its 2-methyl derivative. The aim of our study was to ascertain whether hexarelin was able to counteract the glucocorticoid-mediated increase in hypothalamic somatostatin tone and consequent inhibition on serum GH levels in acromegalic patients. Ten patients (5 males, 5 females; age range 27-71 years; BMI range 23.3-35 kg/m2) with active acromegaly underwent: 1) hydrocortisone alone: a bolus iv injection of 100 mg hydrocortisone succinate in 2 mL saline, at time -60 followed by a 120 min iv infusion of 250 mg hydrocortisone succinate in 250 mL saline, from -60 to 60 min; 2) hexarelin+hydrocortisone: a bolus iv injection of hexarelin 100 micrograms, 60 min after initiation of a 2-hour hydrocortisone infusion; 3) hexarelin alone: a bolus iv injection of hexarelin at time 0, 60 min after initiation of a 2-hour saline infusion. The mean GH peak, expressed as percent change with respect to baseline level (mean of -75 and -60 minute samples), after hexarelin (1750 +/- 1157%) did not differ significantly with respect to that observed after hexarelin+hydrocortisone (1120 +/- 770%). After hydrocortisone alone the patients showed a mean decrease in GH levels as compared to baseline levels, of 47 +/- 7%. Our data show that the GH response to hexarelin in acromegaly is resistant to the inhibitor action of an acute and sustained elevation of serum cortisol levels. That hexarelin counteracts the glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of GH secretion supports the hypothesis of an hexarelin-induced decrease in endogenous somatostatin tone.

Characterization of the paradoxical growth hormone inhibitory effect of galanin in acromegaly.

Galanin is a 29-amino acid straight-chain biologically active peptide which has been found to decrease circulating GH levels in some acromegalic patients, whereas is able to increase GH secretion in normal subjects. The aim of our study was to ascertain the incidence, entity and mechanism of the paradoxical GH inhibitory effect of galanin in acromegaly also looking at possible correlations between the GH responses to galanin and the main clinical and biochemical features of the patients. Finally, the effects of either successful or unsuccessful neurosurgical intervention on the GH inhibitory effect of galanin in acromegaly were investigated. A series of 23 consecutive patients with active acromegaly seen at the Endocrine Section of the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Brescia (Italy) between 1991 and 1994 was examined. The acromegalic patients were subdivided in group 1 (i.e. patients who were 1) untreated, 2) evaluated before surgery, and 3) not cured after surgery and radiotherapy) and group 2 (i.e. surgically cured). All patients were submitted at least once to the following biochemical and radiological evaluations: 1) baseline serum insulin-like growth factor-I and PRL samples, 2) iv infusion of synthetic porcine galanin (500 micrograms in 100 mL saline) from -10 to 30 min, 3) iv bolus injection of TRH (200 micrograms) at time zero, 4) oral glucose tolerance test (75 g glucose, orally) at time zero, and 5) magnetic resonance of the pituitary sella. Adenomatous tissue obtained during neurosurgery in four patients was cultured in vitro, and the effect of the addition of galanin in the culture medium on GH secretion was tested. During galanin infusion in 19 of 21 group 1 patients, serum GH levels were lower with respect to baseline (range of GH decrease, -6.2 to -85.4% with respect to basal levels). During galanin infusion, no reductions in GH levels were observed in the acromegalic patients cured after neurosurgery (group 2); on the contrary, 6 of 7 patients displayed a normal stimulatory response to galanin (range of GH increase, +120-1533.3% of the basal level). A significant correlation between the percent decrease in GH levels after galanin treatment and the percent increase after TRH was found in group 1 patients (r = -0.783; P < 0.05). In three of the four adenomas examined, galanin determined a clear decrease in GH secretion (mean nadir, 63.3 +/- 12% of the baseline secretion rate). In conclusion, we demonstrated that the large majority of numerous patients with active acromegaly show a decrease in serum GH levels after galanin administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of glucocorticoids on the paradoxical growth hormone response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in patients with acromegaly.

It has been hypothesized that in acromegalic patients, as well as in normal subjects, acute increases in serum cortisol levels may cause an enhancement of hypothalamic somatostatin secretion, which in turn may be responsible for the glucocorticoid-mediated growth hormone (GH) inhibition. The aim of this study was to investigate short-term effects of an intravenous (i.v.) infusion of hydrocortisone on the GH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in acromegaly. We studied six adult patients with active acromegaly. The group was composed of four women and two men with a mean age of 55.8 +/- 6.4 years (range, 27 to 68) and a mean body mass index of 26.7 +/- 1 kg/m2 (range, 23.3 to 30). All patients underwent the following treatments: (1) hydrocortisone alone: a bolus i.v. injection of hydrocortisone succinate 100 mg in 2 mL saline at time -60 minutes, followed by a 120-minute i.v. infusion of hydrocortisone succinate 250 mg in 250 mL saline from -60 to 60 minutes; (2) TRH+hydrocortisone: a bolus i.v. injection of TRH 200 micrograms 60 minutes after initiation of a 2-hour hydrocortisone infusion; (3) TRH alone: a bolus i.v. injection of TRH at time 0, 60 minutes after initiation of a 2-hour saline infusion. In all six patients, TRH induced large GH increases (absolute peak GH level, 58.1 +/- 23.2 micrograms/L; maximum % GH change with respect to baseline, 1,397.8% +/- 807.8%; range, 205% +/- 5,219%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) on bone and intermediary metabolism in patients receiving chronic glucocorticoid treatment with suppressed endogenous GH response to GH-releasing hormone.

Glucocorticoids, when administered over prolonged periods of time, cause protein wasting, osteoporosis, elevation of total cholesterol, and carbohydrate intolerance. Human GH is a potent anabolic agent known to stimulate protein synthesis and osteoblast activity. Chronic hypercortisolemia is associated with impaired GH secretion. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of short term administration of human recombinant GH on bone and fuel metabolism in patients receiving chronic glucocorticoid treatment and with suppressed GHRH-stimulated GH peaks (< 10 micrograms/L). We studied nine nonobese adult patients more than 70 yr of age (seven females and two males; age range, 41-68 yr; body mass index, 26 +/- 1.3 kg/m2) undergoing long term glucocorticoid therapy for nonendocrine diseases. After a 3-day stabilization period in the hospital, several parameters were evaluated in all patients: 1) protein, 2) bone, 3) lipid, 4) carbohydrate metabolism, and 5) immune system function under baseline conditions. At 1800 h on the fifth day of hospitalization, the patients began treatment with a daily sc injection of 0.1 IU/kg (0.037 mg/kg) recombinant human GH (Humatrope, Eli Lilly Co.) for 7 days. GH administration caused a significant increase in nitrogen balance (from -0.12 +/- 0.04 to -0.03 +/- 0.02 g/kg.day; P < 0.05), osteocalcin, carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen with respect to basal levels. After GH administration, total, high density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lowered, and serum triglyceride levels were increased in all patients. Normal blood glucose levels during GH administration were observed in our patients concomitantly with a slight increase in insulin secretion. After GH treatment, the T-helper/T-suppressor cell ratio significantly increased with respect to basal levels (2.5 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.3; P < 0.05). Our data suggest that in patients receiving chronic glucocorticoid treatment, GH administration may significantly antagonize several side-effects of long term glucocorticoid administration, such as protein wasting, osteoporosis, and hyperlipidemia.

Effect of pyridostigmine on the hydrocortisone-mediated decrease of circulating growth hormone levels in acromegaly.

The aims of our study were to investigate the effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor pyridostigmine (PD) administration on growth hormone (GH) secretion in acromegaly and to investigate the effects of PD on GH levels following an i.v. infusion of hydrocortisone in acromegaly. We studied five adult patients with active acromegaly, three men and two women with a mean age of 60 +/- 5 years (range 47-71 years) and a mean BMI of 27 +/- 0.7 kg/m2 (range 24-28 kg/m2). All the patients underwent: 1) placebo, 2 tablets po or 2) PD, 120 mg po, at time -60 plus a bolus i.v. injection of 100 mg hydrocortisone succinate in 2 ml saline at time 0 followed by an i.v. infusion of 250 mg hydrocortisone succinate in 250 ml saline from 0 to 120 min, or 3) PD, po or 4) placebo, po at time -60 plus a bolus i.v. injection of 2 ml saline followed by an i.v. infusion of 250 ml saline from 0 to 120 min. Serum GH values did not significantly change after PD administration compared to those during placebo treatment and with respect to baseline levels. In all of the acromegalic patients during hydrocortisone succinate infusion, GH values clearly decreased with respect to basal levels in varying degrees, with a nadir between 90 and 180 minutes after the beginning of hydrocortisone infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of hydrocortisone on the growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone in acromegaly.

Our recent data show that acute and sustained hypercortisolism decreases circulating growth hormone (GH) levels in acromegaly with respect to saline infusion. It has been hypothesized that in acromegalic patients, as well as in normal subjects, short-term increases in serum cortisol levels may be able to cause an enhancement of hypothalamic somatostatin secretion, which in turn may be responsible for the glucocorticoid mediated GH inhibition. The aim of our study was to investigate the acute effects of an intravenous infusion of hydrocortisone on the GH response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in acromegaly. We studied 6 adult patients with active acromegaly (3 M, 3 F; mean age 60.5 +/- 4.1 years; mean body mass index 27.1 +/- 0.6 kg/m2). All the patients underwent: (1) a bolus intravenous injection of 100 mg hydrocortisone succinate in 2 ml saline, at time -60 followed by a 120-min intravenous infusion of 250 mg hydrocortisone succinate in 250 ml saline, from -60 to 60 min; (2) a bolus intravenous injection of human GHRH 1-29NH2 100 micrograms in 1 ml saline, 60 min after initiation of a 2-hour hydrocortisone infusion; (3) a bolus intravenous GHRH injection 60 min after initiation of a 2-hour saline infusion. In all of the acromegalic patients during hydrocortisone succinate infusion, GH values clearly decreased with respect to basal levels (mean nadir 47 +/- 8.6%, p < 0.05 with respect to basal levels). After GHRH injection and saline infusion all the patients showed a significant increase in GH levels (mean peak 231.5 +/- 52.8%, p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of metoclopramide on the paradoxical growth hormone response to galanin in acromegaly.

Galanin is able to enhance growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone stimulated GH secretion in normal man. In acromegaly circulating GH levels are elevated and the GH response to GHRH may be exaggerated. Galanin has been recently shown to decrease circulating GH levels in acromegaly. Dopaminergic drugs were the only previously known agents able to cause a paradoxical GH fall in acromegaly. Aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a potent central dopaminergic receptor blocker, metoclopramide (MCP), on the galanin-induced paradoxical GH secretion in acromegalic subjects. Two male and three female patients with active acromegaly (age range 44-66 years, body mass index range 24.6-28 Kg/m2) were studied after 45 min i.v. infusion of porcine galanin (0.5 mg in 100 ml of saline) from 0 to 45 min combined with a 60 min i.v. infusion of a) saline (100 ml) or b) MCP (10 mg in 100 ml of saline) from -15 to 45 min. After galanin, GH values fell from baseline (27.5 +/- 10 micrograms/L) to a mean nadir of 16.4 +/- 6.1 micrograms/L; after galanin + MCP, circulating GH levels were also decreased (mean nadir 17.3 +/- 8.1 micrograms/L) in all the patients with respect to baseline (23.6 +/- 9.7 micrograms/L). No significant differences were found in absolute or percent of baseline GH levels after galanin+saline vs galanin + MCP. Our results suggest that the paradoxical GH fall after galanin in acromegalic patients is not mediated through dopaminergic receptor. It can be hypothesized that galanin may interact at the pituitary level with its own receptors expressed by GH-secreting adenomatous cells.

Effects of metoclopramide on the growth hormone response to galanin in normal man.

One of the most prominent metabolic effects of the systemic administration of the synthetic neuropeptide galanin in man is the increase in growth hormone (GH) secretion. This stimulating action of galanin is thought to occur directly at the hypothalamic level through the release of GHRH. Recently, it has been shown that also dopaminergic drugs may elicit GH secretion through an increase in hypothalamic GHRH secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate if the action of galanin on GHRH and consequently on GH release may be mediated via dopaminergic pathways evaluating the effects of a potent central dopaminergic receptor blocker, metoclopramide (MCP), on the galanin-induced growth hormone (GH) secretion in normal subjects. We studied seven young non obese healthy subjects (three females and four males). GH secretion was evaluated after 45 min iv infusion of porcine galanin (0.5 mg in 100 ml of saline) from 0 to 45 min combined with a 60 min iv infusion of a) saline (100 ml) or b) MCP (10 mg in 100 ml of saline) from -15 to 45 min. In all the seven subjects, during galanin infusion, GH values increased with respect to baseline with peaks occurring between 30 and 60 min after the beginning of galanin infusion. Peak GH values ranged between 3.5 and 15.4 micrograms/l (mean 10.4 +/- 1.6 micrograms/l). During MCP infusion no significant differences in the GH response to galanin with respect to saline were observed both when absolute GH levels and GH AUC were examined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arginine blocks the inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone on circulating growth hormone levels in patients with acromegaly.

In patients with acromegaly, circulating growth hormone (GH) levels and GH responses to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) are decreased by long-term administration of pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids. The aim of our study was to investigate the acute effects of intravenous (i.v.) infusion of hydrocortisone combined either with saline or arginine infusion on circulating GH levels in acromegaly. We studied five adult patients with acromegaly, two men and three women aged 54.6 +/- 4 years having a body mass index of 25.9 +/- 1.2 kg/m2. On two randomized occasions, patients underwent a bolus i.v. injection of 100 mg hydrocortisone succinate at time 0 followed by a 120-minute i.v. infusion of 250 mg hydrocortisone in 250 mL saline, combined with a 90-minute (from -15 to 75 minutes) i.v. infusion of (1) 60 g arginine hydrochloride in 200 mL saline, or (2) 200 mL saline. In all of the acromegalic patients during the infusion of hydrocortisone alone, serum GH levels clearly decreased (nadir range, 26.4% to 68.1%) with respect to GH levels before hydrocortisone administration (mean of time -15 and 0, basal level), with a nadir between 90 and 180 minutes after the beginning of the infusion. After arginine pretreatment, GH levels were significantly enhanced compared with levels attained with hydrocortisone saline, and they were also significantly increased (peak, 167.5% +/- 27.7%) with respect to basal levels. Our data show that arginine blocks the inhibitory effect of acute and sustained hypercortisolism on circulating GH levels in acromegaly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of galanin and arginine, alone or in combination, on growth hormone secretion in adult patients treated with glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids are known to decrease growth hormone (GH) secretion in man. Galanin, a 29-amino acid peptide, and arginine stimulate GH secretion through different hypothalamic mechanisms. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of arginine and galanin (alone or in combination) on GH secretion in 7 adult patients with nonendocrine diseases receiving chronic daily immunosuppressive glucocorticoid treatment (5 F, 2 M; mean age 48.4 +/- (SEM) 3.7 years). Five normal adults (3 F, 2 M; mean age 34.6 +/- 2.2 years) served as controls. All subjects underwent in random order: (1) infusion of arginine hydrochloride (30 g i.v. in 100 ml saline) from -30 to 0 min; (2) infusion of synthetic porcine galanin (500 micrograms i.v. in 100 ml saline) from -15 to 30 min; (3) intravenous infusion of arginine hydrochloride from -30 to 0 min combined with synthetic porcine galanin from -15 to 30 min. In normal subjects GH peak after arginine (8.6 +/- 3.3 micrograms/l) and galanin (6.6 +/- 3.2 micrograms/l) did not show significant differences; the GH peak after arginine + galanin (21.4 +/- 6.1 micrograms/l) was significantly higher with respect to galanin or arginine alone. In glucocorticoid-treated patients the GH peak after arginine (4.6 +/- 1.5 micrograms/l) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher with respect to galanin (1.8 +/- 1.0 micrograms/l); after arginine + galanin the GH peak (8.2 +/- 2.3 micrograms/l) was significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced with respect to either galanin or arginine alone. The GH response to arginine was not significantly different in normal and glucocorticoid-treated patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of sex and age on the growth hormone response to galanin in healthy human subjects.

The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of sex and age on the GH response to galanin infusion in healthy subjects. We have studied 12 young (age, < 40 yr) nonobese healthy volunteers [6 females: age, 31.0 +/- 2.5 yr; body mass index (BMI), 21.6 +/- 0.9 kg/m2; 6 males: age, 29.2 +/- 1.4 yr; BMI, 23.3 +/- 0.4 kg/m2] and 11 old (age, > 65 yr) healthy subjects (5 females: age, 83.8 +/- 3.8 yr; BMI, 23.4 +/- 1.4 kg/m2; 6 males: age, 79.7 +/- 4.6 yr; BMI, 23.3 +/- 0.2 kg/m2). All subjects received an infusion of synthetic porcine galanin (500 micrograms, iv) in 100 mL saline from 0-45 min. Blood samples for GH measurement were drawn at -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. The GH peaks after galanin treatment in young females (11.9 +/- 2.9 micrograms/L) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in the young males (5.1 +/- 1.8 micrograms/L). Old males showed significantly higher peak GH levels after galanin treatment (8.6 +/- 3.1 micrograms/L) than old females (2.4 +/- 0.6 micrograms/L). The GH peaks and areas under the curve after galanin treatment were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in young than in old females. On the contrary, no significant differences were observed after galanin treatment in young and old males. The magnitude of galanin-induced GH secretion significantly correlated with estradiol levels in young women. Our data seem to suggest that circulating estrogen levels play a crucial permissive role in galanin-induced GH secretion in humans.

Effect of galanin on the growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing hormone in patients with Cushing's disease.

Attenuated plasma GH secretion during sleep and blunted GH responses to provocative stimuli have been observed in patients with Cushing's disease. Synthetic porcine galanin elicits GH secretion when given alone, and enhances the GH response to GHRH in normal human subjects. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of galanin on the GH response to GHRH in patients with Cushing's disease. We studied 5 female subjects with untreated active Cushing's disease caused by micro-pituitary adenomas (age 43 +/- 6.7 years; BMI 30 +/- 0.7 kg/m2). Four normal adult females, matched for age and body weight with the patients with Cushing's disease, were studied as controls. Subjects underwent in random order: (1) infusion of synthetic porcine galanin IV, 500 micrograms in 100 mL; (2) infusion of saline, IV, 100 mL. A bolus of human GHRH(1-29)NH2 (Geref, Serono, Italy), 100 micrograms in 1 mL saline, was injected IV at 0 minutes. Patients with Cushing's disease showed blunted GH peaks after GHRH (1.2 +/- 0.4 micrograms/L) during saline infusion, as compared to normal controls (24.6 +/- 4.6 micrograms/L; p < 0.05). During galanin infusion a significantly enhanced GH response to GHRH, as compared with saline infusion, was observed in control subjects (GH peak: 51.4 +/- 9.8 micrograms/L; p < 0.05), but not in patients with Cushing's disease (GH peak: 2.3 +/- 0.6 micrograms/L). GH levels were significantly lower both after saline and after galanin in patients with Cushing's disease as compared to normal controls. Our data demonstrate that galanin is not able to enhance the GH response to GHRH in patients with Cushing's disease. That galanin cannot reverse this effect suggests that the mechanism of action of galanin is not via a decrease in somatostatin release by the hypothalamus.

Effect of long-term treatment with bromocriptine on the growth hormone response to galanin in patients with acromegaly.

Galanin elicits growth hormone (GH) secretion in normal man but may cause a paradoxical fall of GH in acromegaly. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of long-term treatment with bromocriptine on the galanin-induced GH decrease in acromegalic subjects. Six acromegalic patients (5F, 1M) chronically treated with bromocriptine underwent in randomized order: (i) iv infusion of 100 ml saline from 0 to 45 min and (ii) iv infusion of synthetic porcine galanin (0.5 mg in 100 ml saline) from 0 to 45 min. In acromegalic patients, GH values fell from baseline (10.5 +/- 2.7 micrograms/l) to a mean nadir of 6.9 +/- 2.2 micrograms/l after galanin infusion (57.8 +/- 9.4% vs basal levels). Saline infusion did not cause any change in circulating GH levels. The mean change in GH values with respect to baseline after galanin in these subjects significantly differed from that observed after saline from time 15 to 90 min. Serum prolactin levels were not significantly affected by galanin. Our results confirm that the dose of galanin capable of increasing plasma GH levels in normal subjects can decrease GH values in patients with acromegaly. Moreover, our data show that this paradoxical GH decrease induced by galanin can also be observed in patients chronically treated with bromocriptine. Therefore, the paradoxical decreasing effect of galanin on plasma GH levels in acromegaly seems not to be mediated via dopaminergic pathways.

Galanin does not affect the growth hormone-releasing hormone-stimulated growth hormone secretion in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Patients with hyperthyroidism have reduced spontaneous and stimulated growth hormone (GH) secretion. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of galanin, a novel neuropeptide which stimulates GH secretion in man, on the GH response to GHRH in patients with hyperthyroidism. Eight untreated hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease (6F, 2M, aged 25-50 years) and six healthy volunteers (3F, 3M, aged 27-76 years) underwent from -10 to 30 min in random order: (i) porcine galanin, iv, 500 micrograms in 100 ml saline; or (ii) saline, iv, 100 ml. A bolus of human GHRH(1-29)NH2, 100 micrograms, was injected iv at 0 min. Hyperthyroid patients showed blunted GH peaks after GHRH+saline (10.2 +/- 2.5 micrograms/l) compared to normal subjects (20.7 +/- 4.8 micrograms/l, p < 0.05). GH peaks after GHRH+galanin were also significantly lower in hyperthyroid subjects (12.5 +/- 3 micrograms/l) compared to normal subjects (43.8 +/- 6 micrograms/l, p < 0.05). That galanin is not able to reverse the blunted GH response to GHRH in hyperthyroidism suggests that hyperthyroxinemia may either increase the somatostatin release by the hypothalamus or directly affect the pituitary GH secretory capacity.

Comparative effect of clonidine and growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone on GH secretion in adult patients on chronic glucocorticoid therapy.

Glucocorticoids are thought to inhibit growth hormone (GH) secretion through an enhancement of endogenous somatostatin tone. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and clonidine, an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist which increases GH secretion acting at the hypothalamic level with an unknown mechanism, on GH secretion in seven adult patients (3M, 4F) with non endocrine diseases and on daily immunosuppressive glucocorticoid therapy. Eleven normal subjects (7M, 4F) served as controls. Steroid-treated patients showed a blunted GH response to GHRH (GH peak 8.3 +/- 3 micrograms/L) with respect to normal subjects (GH peak 19.3 +/- 2.4 micrograms/L). The GH responses to clonidine were also blunted (p less than 0.05) in steroid-treated patients (GH peak 5.8 +/- 2.8 micrograms/L) with respect to normal subjects (GH peak 17.6 +/- 2.3 micrograms/L). No significant differences between the GH responses to GHRH and clonidine were observed either in steroid-treated or in normal subjects. Clonidine is not able to enhance GH secretion similar to GHRH in patients chronically treated with steroids. It can be hypothesized that clonidine does not elicit GH secretion decreasing hypothalamic somatostatin tone.

Effect of arginine on the GHRH-stimulated GH secretion in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Patients with hyperthyroidism have reduced GH responses to pharmacological stimuli and reduced spontaneous nocturnal GH secretion. The stimulatory effect of arginine on GH secretion has been suggested to depend on a decrease in hypothalamic somatostatin tone. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of arginine on the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-stimulated GH secretion in patients with hyperthyroidism. Six hyperthyroid patients with recent diagnosis of Graves' disease [mean age +/- SEM, 39.2 +/- 1.4 years; body mass index (BMI) 22 +/- 0.4 kg/m2] and 6 healthy nonobese volunteers (4 males, 2 females; mean age +/- SEM, 35 +/- 3.5 years) underwent two experimental trials at no less than 7-day intervals: GHRH (100 micrograms, i.v.)-induced GH secretion was evaluated after 30 min i.v. infusion of saline (100 ml) or arginine (30 g) in 100 ml of saline. Hyperthyroid patients showed blunted GH peaks after GHRH (13.2 +/- 2.9 micrograms/l) as compared with normal subjects (23.8 +/- 3.9 micrograms/l, p < 0.05). GH peaks after GHRH were only slightly enhanced by arginine in hyperthyroid subjects (17.6 +/- 2.9 micrograms/l), whereas, in normal subjects, the enhancement was clear cut (36.6 +/- 4.4 micrograms/l; p < 0.05). GH values after arginine + GHRH were still lower in hyperthyroid patients with respect to normal subjects. Our data demonstrate that arginine enhances but does not normalize the GH response to GHRH in patients with hyperthyroidism when compared with normal subjects. We hypothesize that hyperthyroxinemia may decrease GH secretion, both increasing somatostatin tone and acting directly at the pituitary level.

Acute effects of hydrocortisone on circulating growth hormone levels in patients with acromegaly.

Aim of our study was to investigate the acute effects of intravenous infusion of hydrocortisone on circulating growth hormone (GH) levels in acromegaly. We studied 5 adult patients with active acromegaly, 3 males and 2 females; age 52 +/- 3.6 years, body mass index 27 +/- 1 kg/m2. The patients underwent in randomized order from 0 to 120 min: (1) intravenous infusion of saline, 250 ml; (2) bolus intravenous injection of hydrocortisone succinate, 100 mg at time 0 followed by intravenous infusion of hydrocortisone succinate, 250 mg in 250 ml of saline for 120 min. Blood samples for GH, cortisol and glucose assay were taken at -15, 0 (time of beginning of saline or hydrocortisone infusion), 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min. In all the acromegalic patients, during hydrocortisone succinate infusion, GH values clearly fell with respect to saline (nadir range 18.4-50.5% with respect to baseline levels) with nadir between 60 and 180 min after the beginning of the infusion. Our data show that acute and sustained hypercortisolism, decreases circulating GH levels in acromegaly. It seems likely that also in acromegalic patients as well as in normal subjects short-term increases in serum cortisol levels may be able to cause an enhancement of hypothalamic somatostatin secretion, which in turn may be responsible for the glucocorticoid-mediated GH inhibition.

Comparative effect of galanin and pyridostigmine on the growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone in normal aged subjects.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of aging on the growth hormone (GH) response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) alone and in combination with either the neuropeptide galanin or the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor pyridostigmine (PD) in normal subjects. In protocol 1 (GHRH/galanin), 9 old healthy volunteers, ranging in age from 68 to 97 years, and 6 young subjects, ranging in age from 25 to 31 years, received: (a) human GHRH (1-29)NH2, 100 micrograms in 1 ml saline, as an intravenous bolus, and (b) porcine galanin, 500 micrograms in 100 ml saline, as an intravenous infusion from -10 to 30 min combined with GHRH, 100 micrograms i.v. at time 0. In protocol 2 (GHRH/PD), 14 old healthy volunteers, ranging in age from 65 to 91 years, and 11 young subjects, ranging in age from 19 to 34 years, received: (a) GHRH (1-29)NH2, 100 micrograms in 1 ml saline, as an intravenous bolus, and (b) PD, 120 mg administered per os 60 min before GHRH, 100 micrograms as an intravenous bolus. Blood samples for GH were drawn at -75, -60 (time of PD administration), -45, -30, -15, -10 (time of beginning of galanin infusion), 0 (time of GHRH injection), 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. The GH response to GHRH was significantly (< 0.05) enhanced either by galanin or PD pretreatment both in young and old subjects. However, the GH response to GHRH alone or combined with either galanin or PD was significantly greater in the young subjects as compared to the old subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)