title: Propranolol and exercise as a screening test for growth hormone deficiency.
abstract: There is a need for a safe, inexpensive, and reliable screening test for growth hormone (GH) reserve. Exercise has been utilized for this purpose but false-negative responses (inadequate GH release in non-GH-deficient patients) has limited the effectiveness of this stimulus as a screening test. Beta-adrenergic blockade (propranolol) was used to enhance the effect of exercise on GH release. Thirty-two non-GH-deficient children and five GH-deficient children were evaluated. All of the non-GH-deficient children responded to propranolol and exercise with serum GH levels exceeding 7 ng/ml. The peak serum GH levels in the five GH-deficient patients did not exceed 4 ng/ml. Propranolol and exercise appears to be an effective screening test for GH function.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011433:Propranolol
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone; D011433:Propranolol