Comparison of TRF, Propranolol-Glucagon, Insulin and Glucose Stimulation Tests in Acromegaly

Abstract

In 7 acromegalic patients growth hormone responses were studied following administration of synthetic TRF, propranolol-glucagon, insulin, and glucose p.o. Except for the glucose tolerance test, a good reproducibility of the STH response was observed.

In 5 out of the 7 patients, there was a distinct rise in the plasma STH level after TRF. All patients with a positive insulin tolerance test responded to TRF, as did the two late responders to glucagon; the early responder to the latter test did not respond to TRF. It has been suggested (Liuzzi et al. 1974a) that TRF might be used as a screening test for detecting hypothalamic dependency of the acromegaly. This study suggests that further study is required before accepting this hypothesis and that a response to a combination of tests (TRF, glucagon, insulin) might be a better screening method.

Abbreviations used:
1- TRF = thyrotropin releasing factor
2- STH = growth hormone
3- STHRF = growth hormone releasing factor
4- GTT = glucose tolerance test
5- ITT = insulin tolerance test

Key words

Acromegaly - Growth Hormone - TRF - Propranolol-Glucagon - Insulin Tolerance Test - Glucose Tolerance Test