title: Absent B-endorphin response to clonidine in obese children.
abstract: Plasma B-Endorphin (B-EP), Growth Hormone (GH) and cortisol response to 100 mcg/m2 b.s., i.v. clonidine (an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist) were evaluated in 17 normal weight children (8 prepubertal and 9 pubertal) and in 15 children with simple exogenous obesity (7 prepubertal and 8 pubertal, weight excess ranging from 29% to 97%). All the hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay either directly in the plasma (GH and cortisol) or after extraction and chromatography (B-EP). Obese prepubertal and pubertal children showed basal B-EP levels significantly higher than in controls and no differences were found in GH and cortisol levels. While in controls clonidine stimulated a significant release of plasma GH and B-EP in obese patients, irrespective of pubertal development, no changes were found. Cortisol levels decreased in both groups. These data suggest an impaired adrenergic control of GH and B-EP secretion in children with simple exogenous obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchinetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bernasconi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marcellini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iughetti
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003000:Clonidine; D006854:Hydrocortisone