title: The effect of acute ethanol exposure on clonidine-induced growth hormone release in male rats.
abstract: The influence of acute ethanol (ETOH) on the regulation of GH release has not been clearly elucidated. In this study the effect of ETOH on clonidine (CLON)-induced GH secretion was examined. To test the effect of ETOH on CLON-induced GH release doses of 1, 2, and 3 g/kg ETOH in a 25% ETOH/saline solution or 10 ml/kg saline were injected IP 24 and 1 h before CLON (30 micrograms/kg BW IV). Blood samples were withdrawn through a chronic jugular cannula. ETOH was found to alter the GH surge, which occurred 15 min after CLON administration in controls, in a dose-dependent manner. The 1 g/kg dose reduced the GH surge slightly but not significantly. The 2 g/kg dose suppressed the GH surge which was significantly lower than in controls. The 3 g/kg dose eliminated the GH surge completely. To determine if pituitary GH release is directly influenced by ETOH, animals were injected with GRH (250 ng/kg IV) one hour after the second dose of ETOH (3 g/kg IP). There was no difference in the GH surge in control or ETOH-injected animals. Anti-SRIF administered 30 minutes before ETOH or saline did not alter the response to GRH. These results suggest that ETOH reduces the GH responsiveness to alpha 2-GRH stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 60115.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Mauceri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conway
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010906:Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D010906:Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones; D000431:Ethanol; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003000:Clonidine