Changes of pituitary secretion after long-term treatment with hydergine, in elderly patients.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term treatment with an ergot derivative, dihydroergotoxine mesylate (hydergine) 6 mg/day, on pituitary secretion on 10 elderly patients of both sexes. Samples were drawn at 120 min intervals during a 24 h period, before and after 1 month of therapy. Serum levels of Prl, GH, LH, FSH, TSH and cortisol were measured by RIAs. Hydergine induced a significant increase in the nocturnal serum GH peak. Conversely, no appreciable changes in the pattern of the other hormones studied were found. The observed endocrine effects could be due to the chronic dopaminergic stimulation induced by hydergine.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone