Antihypertensive therapy with guanfacine induces elevated plasma growth hormone levels in diabetic patients.
Guanfacine, a central alpha-adrenoreceptor agonist, may increase growth hormone (GH) secretion. We have investigated the effect of guanfacine upon plasma GH levels in 16 hypertensive non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDD) patients. Guanfacine (1 to 2 mg/day/os) was administered for six months, and GH measured in basal plasma samples before and after treatment with this drug. Our results show an increase in GH plasma levels after guanfacine administration (2.88 +/- 2.05 ng/ml (X +/-SD) before, and 4.37 +/- 1.80 ng/ml (X +/- SD) after treatment). Since it is believed that GH levels plays a role in the course of diabetic retinopathy, caution should be taken with guanfacine antihypertensive treatment in patients affected with diabetes mellitus.
Coves
M J
MJ
Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, University Medical School Barcelona, Spain.
Gomis
R
R
Casamitjana
R
R
Lienas
V
V
Vilaradell
E
E
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D016316:Guanfacine; D006146:Guanidines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006146:Guanidines; D010648:Phenylacetates; D016316:Guanfacine; D013006:Growth Hormone