Abstract
A single oral dose of clonidine - HC1 (0.15 mg/m2) administered to 26 healthy subjects (17 M and 9 F) aged 6 - 17 years induced a marked and consistent increase in plasma hGH from 4.9 ± 1.3 ng/ml (m±SEM) to 34.6 ± 4.5. These values were higher than those registered during insulin (0.1 U/kg i.v.) hypoglycemia in 5 of these children (12.2 ± 1.7 ng/ml). No false negative responses were observed. In 7 proven hGH deficient patients no change of the low basal hGH levels was found. Plasma insulin and cortisol levels decreased in both healthy and hypopituitary children. by 50% from baseline. No significant change in blood glucose, hPrl, LH, FSH and TSH was found. Blood pressure decreased by 20 ± 2 mm Hg (m±SEM) in the healthy subjects and 25 ± 4 mm Hg in the hGH deficient patients. Drowsiness was the only noted side effect. Clonidine probably enhances hGH and inhibits insulin secretion via an α adrenergic stimulation. It is concluded that administration of oral clonidine is a simple potent and reliable hGH provocative test.
Z. Laron - Established Investigator of the Chief Scientist's Bureau Ministry of Health.
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Topper, E., Gil-Ad, I. & Laron, Z. Oral clonidine, an effective hGH provocative test. Pediatr Res 13, 1187 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00042
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00042