title: Effect of mazindol on growth hormone levels in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
abstract: Human growth hormone (HGH) inhibition may be beneficial in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and slow down the rate of progression of the disease. The purposes of the present investigation were: 1) to assess, through pharmacological stimuli (L-dopa test), the HGH response in untreated DMD patients, and 2) to evaluate the inhibitory effect of mazindol on HGH levels as a potential treatment for DMD. In 55 DMD patients, HGH levels were measured through the L-dopa test, and 40 received mazindol. After 1 year, there was wide variability in the individual response to mazindol. An apparent diminution in the mean HGH level was observed in the whole group of patients; this was statistically significant after 3 and 6 months but not after 9 and 12 months of treatment. The results suggest that this drug is not effective for arresting growth or inhibiting HGH secretion for a prolonged period of time.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zatz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rapaport
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vainzof
authors.forename: R de C
authors.initials: Rde C
authors.lastname: Pavanello
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Betti
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Otto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007980:Levodopa; D008297:Male; D008454:Mazindol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D007980:Levodopa; D013006:Growth Hormone; D008454:Mazindol