The Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences

, Volume 9, Issue 5, pp 471–475 | Cite as

Growth hormone evaluation in duchenne muscular dystrophy

  • Merlini L. 
  • Granata C. 
  • Ballestrazzi A. 
  • Cornelio F. 
  • Tassoni P. 
  • Tugnoli S. 
  • Cacciari E. 
Original Articles

Abstract

Growth hormone (GH) release with pharmacological tests and sleep test, somatomedin C and auxological features were studied in 10 patients affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. GH release in these patients seems to be lower than normal; moreover some of them are of short stature without an evident relationship with GH deficit. The possible significance of the data obtained is discussed, particularly in relation to the clinical course of the disease, and to current therapeutic trials with a GH release inhibitor (mazindol).

Key-Words

Growth hormone somatomedin C Duchenne muscular dystrophy failure to thrive-mazindol 

Sommario

Sono state studiate la secrezione dell'ormone della crescita mediante test farmacologici e durante il sonno, la Somatomedina C e le caratteristiche auxologiche in 10 pazienti affetti da Distrofia Muscolare di Duchenne. La secrezione di ormone della crescita in questi pazienti sembra essere al di sotto del normale; inoltre alcuni di essi presentano bassa statura senza una chiara relazione con un deficit di ormone della crescita. Vengono discusse le implicazioni dei risultati ottenuti, con particolare riguardo al decorso della malattia ed agli attuali trials terapeutici con inibitori dell'ormone della crescita (mazindol).

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Copyright information

© Masson Italia Editori 1988

Authors and Affiliations

  • Merlini L. 
    • 1
  • Granata C. 
    • 1
  • Ballestrazzi A. 
    • 1
  • Cornelio F. 
    • 2
  • Tassoni P. 
    • 3
  • Tugnoli S. 
    • 3
  • Cacciari E. 
    • 3
  1. 1.Laboratorio di NeurofisiologiaIstituto Ortopedico RizzoliBologna
  2. 2.Istituto Neurologico BestaMilano
  3. 3.Clinica Pediatrica IIUniversità di BolognaBologna

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