Abstract
We previously reported that human growth hormone (hGH) alters drug metabolism when administered to growth hormone deficient children. Six weeks of t.i.w. administration of 2U i.m. was found to increase half-life (t½) of amobarbital from 13.9 hrs to 22.8 hrs. Further investigations on hGH deficient children were undertaken to elucidate the possible role of hGH in regulation of hepatic drug oxidation. Amobarbital was again chosen as a representative substrate. Pharmacokinetic parameters (Vd, t½, Cl) were determined on the basis of at least 3 blood level measurements following a single 3 - 5 mg/kg oral dose. In three children amobarbital was given before and 12 hrs after a single injection of 2U of hGH. No significant change in Vd, t½ or Cl was found. One subject was restudied at 6 weeks and found to have the characteristic prolongation of t½ at that time. Two children were studied before and after 4 injections of hGH on alternate days. One showed no change in drug elimination; the other showed a very slight increase in t½. All children who showed a prolongation at 6 weeks and who were restudied 12 or more months later continued to have a long t½. Conclusions: (1) The hGH inhibition of amobarbital metabolism is reproducible; (2) the effect is not evident at 2 weeks but is complete by 6 weeks, at least on current treatment schedules and (3) the effect persists for one year of treatment or longer; diminution of the effect has not been observed.
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Redmond, G., Bell, J. & Perel, J. 264 ONSET AND DURATION OF THE GROWTH HORMONE EFFECT ON AMOBARBITAL METABOLISM. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 407 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00269
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00269