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Secretion of growth hormone releasing hormone in obese children

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Abstract

We have evaluated baseline and I-dopa-stimulated peripheral growth hormone releasing hormone (pGHRH) secretion in 6 obese prepubertal children and in 7 age-matched controls. Baseline pGHRH levels were no different between obese (36.6±9.8 pg/ml, mean±SE) and control children (40.6±10.1 pg/ml). Administration of I-dopa (500 mg po) caused a significant increase of pGHRH levels in both the obese (65.3±19.8 pg/ml, p<0.05) and the control children (84.1 ±10.0 pg/ml, p<0.003). Mean peak pGHRH levels after I-dopa were not significantly different between the two groups, whereas mean peak GH levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the obese (7.9±1.9 ng/ml) than in the control children (20.5+4.9 ng/ml). We conclude that despite reduced GH secretion, obese children have normal baseline and I-dopa stimulated pGHRH levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Cattedra di Endocrinologia Pediatrica, Università di Cagliari, Via Jenner, 09121, Cagliari, Italy

    S. Loche, S. Balzano, A. Faedda, A. Muntoni, D. Carta & C. Pintor

  2. Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    M. Bozzola, A. Moretta & S. Pintus

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  1. S. Loche
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  2. S. Balzano
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  3. M. Bozzola
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  4. A. Moretta
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  5. S. Pintus
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  6. A. Faedda
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  7. A. Muntoni
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  8. D. Carta
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  9. C. Pintor
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Loche, S., Balzano, S., Bozzola, M. et al. Secretion of growth hormone releasing hormone in obese children. J Endocrinol Invest 15, 453–457 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348770

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348770

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