The effect of insulinhypoglycemia and arginine infusion on circulating concentrations
of plasma growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and growth hormone (GH) has been
studied in 24 children (4.4 to 14.3 years). Plasma GH and GHRH concentrations were
determined by RIA. Basal plasma GHRH levels were detectable in the plasma of all patients
ranging from 6.8 to 27.1 pg/ml. Injection of 0.1 U/kg body wt. insulin i.v. resulted
in an increase of plasma GHRH levels (11.1±1.4 pg/ml vs. 18.8±2.6 pg/ml; P < 0.01)
preceding that of plasma GH (1.5±0.4 ng/ml vs. 13.6±1.3 ng/ml; P < 0.01). Infusion
of 0.5gm/kg body wt. arginine hydrochloride did increase GH concentrations (2.0±0.6
ng/ml vs. 13.9±2.3 ng/ml; P < 0.01) but did not change circulating plasma GHRH levels.
Since the source of peripheral GHRH concentrations is not known the importance of
these findings remains to be determined.
Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone
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Growth Hormone
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Insulinhypoglycemia
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Arginine Infusion
