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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2009; 117(9): 460-462
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1202796
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Activation of α1-adrenoceptors Inhibits Growth Hormone Secretion in Humans

G. Fanciulli 1 , P. A. Tomasi 1 , 2 , A. P. Delitala 1 , G. Delitala 1
  • 1Dipartimento-Struttura Clinica Medica-Patologia Speciale Medica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
  • 2Present address:European Medicines Agency (EMEA), 7 Westferry Circus, London, United Kingdom
Further Information

Publication History

received 10.04.2008 first decision 20.08.2008

accepted 19.11.2008

Publication Date:
16 April 2009 (online)

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Abstract

In order to determine whether an α1-adrenergic mechanism is involved in the secretion of Growth Hormone (GH) in humans, we studied the effect of the α1-adrenergic-stimulating agent methoxamine on serum GH levels in twelve normal males (age range 22–32 years). Intravenous infusion of methoxamine (dose: 6 μg/kg/min; duration: 150 min) significantly reduced serum GH levels at time 120 and 150, and on integrated concentrations. These data suggest that α1-adrenergic receptors inhibit tonic GH secretion in humans.

Key words

α1-adrenoceptors - growth hormone - humans - hypothalamus - methoxamine

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Correspondence

G. FanciulliMD 

Istituto di Clinica Medica

University of Sassari

Viale San Pietro 8

07100 Sassari

Italy

Phone: +39/079/22 90 19

Fax: +39/02/700 532 950

Email: gfanciu@uniss.it

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