Growth hormone secretion in a patient with deprivation dwarfism.

Abstract

Plasma levels of human growth hormone (HGH) were measured in a 16-year-old boy with deprivation dwarfism. Plasma HGH response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia was absent, whereas its response to arginine infusion was slightly subnormal.An exaggerated response of plasma HGH was observed when insulin was injected during the infusion of a beta adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol. Intravenous infusion of an alpha adrenergic stimulating agent, methoxamine, caused a significant increase in plasma HGH. Plasma HGH response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia was within normal limit when re-tested during the period of accelerated growth. These results suggest a functional disorder of HGH secretion in this patient, which seemed to be caused by the inhibition through beta adrenergic receptors.