Abstract
Prior studies have shown that IM, SC, and IV bolus glucagon (GL) consistently and significantly increased serum immunoreactive growth hormone (IRGH) in normal children, but less so in patients with pituitary disorders. To evaluate alterations in peaks and times of responses, GL was administered as 30 min infusion. Twenty-three children with genetic short stature, ages 3-15 yrs., 4 patients with acromegaly, and 2 hypopituitary children had GIT (0.03 mg/kg-max. 1 mg) and sera obtained for 180 mins. for blood sugar (BS), insulin (IRI), and IRGH determinations by RIA. Twelve other short statured children received IM GL.
IVGIT produced significant BS,IRI,and IRGH increments in all, excepting those with hypopituitarism and acromegaly. BS rose from 86±2 mg/100 ml(M±SE),to 150±7 mg/100 ml(p<0.001) at 38±4 mins. IRI rose from 11±2 to 102±11 μU/ml at 32±1 mins. (p<0.001). Baseline IRGH was 3.1±0.9 ng/ml, peak value was 14.9 ± 1.7 ng/ml(p<0.001), at 115±10 mins. IM tests showed BS responses from 72±4 mg/100 ml to 145±7 mg/100 ml(p<0.001), IRI from 9±1 to 28±7 μU/ml at 30 mins.(p<0.001), and IRGH from 1.4±0.2 ng/ml to 7.4 ±1.1 ng/ml at 72±9 mins.(p<0.001). Hypopituitary patients had no IRGH response; acromegalic subjects had persistently elevated IRGH. GIT is as effective as SC,IM, or IV tests, producing similar magnitudes and times of GH response.
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AvRuskin, T., Tang, SC., Juan, C. et al. THE GLUCAGON INFUSION TEST (GIT): GROWTH HORMONE SECRETION IN SHORT STATURE AND IN ABNORMAL ANTERIOR PITUITARY FUNCTION. Pediatr Res 8, 367 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00161
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00161