Abstract
Selective beta-adrenergic blockade (BAB) with atenolol (A) increases the GH response to iv GHRH in normal men as previously reported from this laboratory. This study was designed to determine (1) if A would enhance GH release in GHRH-deficient patients receiving GHRH therapy and (2) if A would increase GH secretion in boys with constitutional delay of growth (CDG). Two children with idiopathic GHRH deficiency were studied from 2000 to 0800h prior to and while receiving long term GHRH subcutaneously every 3h. Blood was withdrawn every 20 min for GH determination. This test was repeated on the following day both before and while receiving GHRH except A, 25 mg, was given orally at 1030 and 1600h. GH secretion was increased by A before (1948 to 3124 and 718 to 1157 ng/ml min) and during (1460 to 3628 and 1363 to 6386 ng/ml min) GHRH therapy. Six healthy boys ages 7 to 15 y with CDG had BAB with A. Each had a significant increase in the peak GH release to GHRH (55.2±13.5 vs 87.7±19.0 ng/ml, p<0.01) and in the area under the GH vs time curve (3916 ± 701 vs 5624 ± 986 ng/ml min, p<0.01) following A. However, BAB with A failed to enhance the endogenous (12h nocturnal) GH secretion (5597 ± 637 vs 4168 ± 475 ng/ml min, p=0.125) suggesting that A may not be appropriate to promote growth in boys with CDG in contrast to those with GHRH deficiency.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Martha, P., Blizzard, R., Pezzoli, S. et al. TREATMENT WITH ATENOLOL INCREASES THE GROWTH HORMONE (GH) RESPONSE TO EXOGENOUS GH RELEASING HORMONE (GHRH) BUT FAILS TO AUGMENT ENDOGENOUS GH SECRETION IN NON–GH DEFICIENT SHORT BOYS. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 250 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00500
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00500