Absent B-Endorphin Response to Clonidine in Obese Children

F. Facchinetti; S. Bernasconi; F. Petraglia; C. Marcellini; L. Iughetti; A. R. Genazzani

doi:10.1055/s-2007-1010833

Hormone and Metabolic Research, Inhaltsverzeichnis

Horm Metab Res 1988; 20(6): 348-351
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1010833

Clinical

Absent B-Endorphin Response to Clonidine in Obese Children

F. Facchinetti¹ , S. Bernasconi² , F. Petraglia¹ , C. Marcellini² , L. Iughetti² , A. R. Genazzani¹

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, Modena, Italy
²Department of Paediatrics, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Abstract

als PDF herunterladen

Summary

Plasma B-Endorphin (B-EP), Growth Hormone (GH) and cortisol response to 100 mcg/m² b.s., i.v. clonidine (an α₂-adrenergic agonist) were evaluated in 17 normal weight children (8 prepubertal and 9 pubertal) and in 15 children with simple exogenous obesity (7 prepubertal and 8 pubertal, weight excess ranging from 29% to 97%). All the hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay either directly in the plasma (GH and cortisol) or after extraction and chromatography (B-EP).

Obese prepubertal and pubertal children showed basal B-EP levels significantly higher than in controls and no differences were found in GH and cortisol levels.

While in controls clonidine stimulated a significant release of plasma GH and B-EP in obese patients, irrespective of pubertal development, no changes were found. Cortisol levels decreased in both groups. These data suggest an impaired adrenergic control of GH and B-EP secretion in children with simple exogenous obesity.

Key-Words

B-Endorphin - Obesity - Clonidine - Adrenergic Tone - Growth Hormone

PDF (371 kb)