title: Simultaneous study of cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin nyctohemeral variations in normal and obese subjects. Influence of prolonged fasting in obesity.
abstract: Hourly integrated concentrations (IC) of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and cortisol were determined by a continuous sampling procedure in six obese women, before and at the end of a 12 day fast, and in eight normal controls under basal conditions. Hormonal 24 h IC and nyctohemeral variations were calculated from these data. Nyctohemeral rhythms were investigated by the periodogram method. A significant increase over basal values of 24 h IC of PRL, GH and cortisol was observed at the end of the fasting period. Nyctohemeral variations--but not nyctohemeral rhythm--of IC-GH were found in normal subjects. They were abolished in obese patients under basal conditions but restored during fasting. The circadian rhythm of cortisol was not altered in obesity. A shift of the normal nyctohemeral rhythm of PRL was observed in obese patients, but the normal pattern was restored during fasting.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone