title: Influence of age on the GH response to sumatriptan administration in man.
abstract: The present study was undertaken in order to assess the influence of aging on the serotonergic control of GH secretion in humans. For this purpose, 6 mg 5-HT1D-serotonergic receptor agonist sumatriptan (or placebo during control tests) was injected subcutaneously in a group of 9 young (26-40 yr old) and a group of 9 elderly male subjects (64-80 yr old). Sumatriptan-induced plasma GH rise was recorded during the next 2 hours. Plasma ACTH levels were also measured. The administration of the placebo was without effects in all subjects. Sumatriptan induced a striking increase in plasma GH levels in the younger group, whereas it slightly increased GH secretion in the older group (f = 9.59, p < 0.02). Plasma ACTH levels showed a similar physiological decline in all subjects during tests, regardless of sumatriptan treatment. These data show impaired serotonergic stimulatory regulation of GH secretion in elderly subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Coiro
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Volpi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caffarri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chiodera
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D018170:Sumatriptan; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone