Abstract
In order to investigate the mechanisms by which hyperglycaemia induces an inhibition of GHRH-induced GH release, we gave the following treatments to seven normal men: a) GHRH 100 μg iv; b) pyridostigmine (PD) 120 mg po 60 min before GHRH; c) glucose 250 mg/kg iv as a bolus (10 min before GHRH) plus 10 mg/kg/min until the end of the test; d) glucose, pyridostigmine and GHRH as above. Glucose significantly reduced GHRH-stimulated GH levels, whereas PD significantly enhanced them. When PD and glucose were given together, the effect on GHRH-stimulated GH secretion was not different from the algebraic sum of the single effects of the two substances. Thus glucose seems to be able to exert its inhibition, at least partially, also when pyridostigmine is coadministered.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Daughaday W.H. The anterior pituitary. In: Wilson J.D., Foster D.W. (Eds.), Williams’ Textbook of Endocrinology. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1985, p. 580.
Roth J., Glick S.M., Yalow R.S., Berson S.A. Hypoglycaemia: a potent stimulus to secretion of growth hormone. Science 140:987, 1963.
Hunter W.M., Willoughby J.M.T., Strong J.A. Plasma insulin and growth hormone during 22-hour fasts and after graded glucose loads in six healthy adults. J. Endocrinol. 40:297, 1968.
Hunter W.M. Growth Hormone. In: Loraine J.A., Bell E.T. (Eds.), Hormone assays and their clinical applications. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1976, p. 223.
Press M,. Tamborlane W.V., Thorner M.O. Pituitary response to growth hormone-releasing fac tor in diabetes. Failure of glucose-mediated suppression. Diabetes 33: 804, 1984.
Quabbe H.J. The endocrinology of growth hormone-secreting microadenomas. In: Faglia G., Giovannelli M.A, MacLeod R.M. (Eds.), Pituitary microadenomas. Academic Press, New York, 1980, p. 229.
Lengyel A.N.J., Grossman A., Nieuwenhuyzen-Kruseman A.C., Ackland J., Rees L., Besser G.M. Glucose modulation of somatostatin and LH-RH release from rat hypothalamic fragments in vitro. Neuroendocrinology 39:31, 1984.
Berelowitz M., Dudlak D., Frohman L.A. Release of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity from incubated rat hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. Effect of glucose and glucoregolatory hormones. J. Clin. Invest. 69:1293, 1982.
Masuda A., Shibasaki T., Nakahara M., Imaki T., Kiyosawa Y., Jibiki K., Demura H., Shizume K., Ling M. The effect of glucose on growth hormone-releasing hormone-mediated GH secretion in man. J. Clin. Endocrinol Metab. 60:523, 1985.
Delitala G., Tomasi P., Virdis R. Neuroendocrine regulation of human growth hormone secretion. Diagnostic and clinical applications. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 11: 441, 1988.
DeFronzo R.A., Tobin J.D., Andres R. Glucose clamp technique: a method for quantifying insulin secretion and resistance. Am. J. Physiol. 237: E214, 1979.
Ross R.J.M., Tsagarakis S., Grossman A., Nhagafoong L., Touzel R.J., Rees L.H., Besser G.M. GH feedback occurs through modulation of hypothalamic somatostatin under cholinergic control: studies with pyridostigmine and GHRH. Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf.) 27: 727, 1987.
Massara F., Ghigo E., Molinatti P., Mazza E., Locatelli V., Muller E.E., Camanni F. Potentiation of cholinergic tone by pyridostigmine bromide re-instates and potentiates the growth hormone responsiveness to intermittent administration of growth hormone-releasing factor in man. Acta Endocrinol. (Copenh.) 113: 12, 1986.
Penalva A., Burguera B., Casabiell X., Tresguerres J.A.F., Dieguez C., Casanueva F.F. Activation of cholinergic neurotransmission by pyridostigmine reverses the inhibitory effect of hyperglycemia on GHRH-induced GH secretion in man. Does acute hyperglycaemia act through hypothalamic release of somatostatin? Neuroendocrinology 49: 551, 1989.
Balzano S., Loche S., Murtas M.L., Pintor C., Martino E. Potentiation of cholinergic tone counteracts the suppressive effect of oral glucose administration on the GH response to GHRH in man. Horm. Metab. Res. 21:52, 1989.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Delitala, G., Tomasi, P.A., Palermo, M. et al. Interaction of glucose and pyridostigmine on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) induced by GH-releasing hormone (GHRH). J Endocrinol Invest 13, 653–656 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349588
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349588