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Horm Metab Res 1973; 5(1): 41-45
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093980
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Intravenous Infusion of L-DOPA on Plasma Growth Hormone Levels in Man

H.  Imura , Y.  Nakai , S.  Matsukura , H.  Matsuyama
  • Third Division, Department of Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Second Division, Department of Medicine, Kyoto University School of Medicine and Department of Medicine, Kyoto Hospital of Japan Monopoly Corporation, Kyoto, Japan
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Publication Date:
07 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Effect of intravenous infusion of 100 mg of L-Dopa on plasma human growth hormone (HGH) levels was studied in normal subjects and patients with certain central nervous system diseases. Intravenous infusion of L-Dopa caused a rise in plasma HGH in most of the normal subjects tested, with peak HGH levels of 15.5 ± 6.1 mµg/ml. Plasma HGH rose significantly during the infusion of L-Dopa in most of the patients with Parkinson's disease, other degenerative central nervous system diseases and anorexia nervosa, although apparently less marked than in normal subjects. Oral administration of glucose did not affect the magnitude of HGH response to L-Dopa but delayed the peak of plasma HGH slightly. Combined administration of propranolol, a beta adrenergic blocking agent, significantly enhanced plasma HGH response to L-Dopa, whereas phentolamine, an alpha blocking agent, had no significant effect.

Key words

Growth Hormone - Dopa - Sympatholytics - Anorexia Nervosa - Parkinsonism