title: Oxandrolone induces a sustained rise in physiological growth hormone secretion in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty.
abstract: We describe the treatment of 3 boys, mean age 14.9 years (range 13.8-16.1 years) with constitutional delay of growth and puberty using oxandrolone in two dose regimens, 2.5 or 1.25 mg/day for 3 months. Treatment induced an increase in mean height velocity from 5.1 to 8.5 cm/year; this was sustained at 8.8 cm/year in the period following treatment. Growth hormone (GH), luteinising hormone and testosterone secretion were assessed by overnight or 24-hour venous sampling at 15-min intervals before, during treatment and after cessation of treatment. A computer programme was used to analyse GH secretory dynamics. The 3 boys had a mean sustained increase in total GH secretion of 190%. The increase in GH secretion was associated with an increase in amplitude of GH pulses rather than an alteration in pulse frequency.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, Middlesex Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanhope
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hindmarsh
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holownia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Honour
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Brook
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001824:Body Constitution; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010074:Oxandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D010074:Oxandrolone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone