This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by HUSEMAN, C. A. Articles by SIBILIA, M. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by HUSEMAN, C. A. Articles by SIBILIA, M. G.

Endogenous Dopaminergic Dysfunction: A Novel Form of Human Growth Hormone Deficiency and Short Stature^*

Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska 68105

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Carol A. Huseman, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd Street and Dewey Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68105.

The purpose of this study was to determine if combined therapy with dopaminergic drugs (DA), i.e. L-dopa or bomocriptine, and exogenous human GH (hGH) could increase growth velocity in hypopituitary children. Twelve prepubertal hypopituitary children (eight boys and four girls; bone age, 1.5–9.5 yr), divided into two groups, each received hGH alone, DA alone, and DA and hGH. Group I (n = 6) received L-dopa (15 mg/kg, orally) at 6-h-intervals during DA and combined DA and hGH therapy. Group II (n = 6) received bromocriptine (1.25 mg, orally) every 12 h during DA and combined DA and hGH therapy. Both groups were given hGH (0.1 IU/kg) three times per week during hGH and combined hGH and respective DA treatment. The study included three 6-month treatment periods of DA, hGH, and combined DA and hGH therapy. The mean growth rates (centimeters per 6 months, ±SD) before treatment and during the three study periods for group I were 1.7 ± 0.2, 3.3 ± 0.8, 3.4 ± 0.4, and 3.9 ± 0.7, respectively. Group II results were 1.4 ± 0.3, 2.3 ± 0.8, 5 ± 1.6, and 3.7 ± 1.1. Mean and peak hGH concentrations, measured every 30 min for 9 h at the end of each study period, increased significantly in five patients, from 15 ± 3 (±SE) ng/ml during hGH therapy to 30 ± 5 ng/ml during DA and hGH treatment. The mean peak hGH values rose from 24 ± 4 to 45 ± 5 (±SE) ng/ml.

In conclusion, addition of dopaminergic agents to hGH therapy potentiates growth in some hypopituitary children. The increased growth and hGH responses to L-dopa or bromocriptine suggest impaired endogenous GH release. Dopaminergic therapy alone or in combination with exogenous hGH may be efficacious in some hypopituitary children.

^* Presented in part at the Seventh International Congress ofEndocrinology, July 7,1984, Quebec City, Canada. This work was supported in part by the Lozier Foundation.

Received June 10, 1985.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. E. Muller, V. Locatelli, and D. Cocchi Neuroendocrine Control of Growth Hormone Secretion Physiol Rev, April 1, 1999; 79(2): 511 - 607. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Volta, L. Ghizzoni, G. Muto, R. Spaggiari, R. Virdis, and S. Bernasconi Effectiveness of Growth-Promoting Therapies: Comparison Among Growth Hormone, Clonidine, and Levodopa Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, February 1, 1991; 145(2): 168 - 171. [Abstract] [PDF]