Horm Metab Res 2005; 37(7): 425-427
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-870230
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Opiates on Growth Hormone Secretion in Acromegaly

A.  Bhansali1 , P.  Velayutham1 , R.  Sialy1 , B.  Sethi1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Further Information

Publication History

Received 19 July 2004

Accepted after revision 2 February 2005

Publication Date:
21 July 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Morphine at doses of 5 mg and 10 mg does not stimulate growth hormone (GH) secretion in normal subjects, and its effect on GH secretion in acromegaly is not widely documented. We investigated the effect of 15 mg intravenous morphine on growth hormone in patients with active acromegaly compared to normal subjects (7 acromegalics and 5 controls). Their mean (± SEM) age was 30.5 ± 7.6 years and 29.5 ± 0.5 years, respectively. Basal and peak response of growth hormone after morphine was measured with simultaneous assay of cortisol to exclude the effect of stress. Mean (± SEM) basal growth hormone was 103.16 ± 28.04 ng/ml in acromegalics compared to 4.51 ± 1.43 ng/ml in controls. Morphine caused an elevation of growth hormone in both acromegalics and normal subjects (p < 0.05). However, the Δ (peak minus basal) response of growth hormone was comparable between the two groups. A concurrent fall in cortisol was noted after morphine in both the groups, excluding the effect of stress on growth hormone. We conclude that higher doses (15 mg) of morphine are required to stimulate GH secretion in normal subjects, and that opioids exert a positive modulating effect on growth hormone secretion in patients with active acromegaly suggesting partial autonomy of the pituitary tumor.

References

Dr. A. Bhansali

Department of Endocrinology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research

Chandigarh-160012 · India

Phone: +91 (172) 74 75 85-600, extn. 6583

Fax: +91 (172) 74 44 01, 745078 ·

Email: anilbhansali_endocrine@rediffmail.com