title: Effects of histaminergic antagonists on the GH-releasing activity of GHRH or hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, in man.
abstract: The role of histamine in the neural control of GH secretion in man is still unclear, although a stimulatory influence has been hypothesized in man. To clarify this point, in 7 normal young women (23-28 yr) in their early follicular phase, we studied the effect of the histaminergic blockade by diphenhydramine (DPH, 80 mg os at -60 min) on the GH response to GHRH (2 micrograms/Hg iv) or Hexarelin (HEX, 2 micrograms/kg iv), a synthetic hexapeptide with strong GH-releasing effect. In 6 of the 7 women the effect of terfenadine (TRF, 120 mg os at -60 min), another H1-receptor antagonist, on the GH response to GHRH or HEX was also studied. As HEX has also PRL- and ACTH-releasing activity and histamine has been shown to have a stimulatory role in the neural control of these hormones, the effects of DPH or TRF on the HEX-induced PRL. ACTH and cortisol release were also studied. GHRH induced a GH rise (peak, mean +/- SEM: 35.4 +/- 6.5 vs 2.5 +/- 1.1 micrograms/l, p < 0.02, n = 7; 34.7 +/- 7.9 vs 3.9 +/- 1.5 micrograms/l, p < 0.02, n = 6) lower (p < 0.05) than that elicited by HEX (49.1 +/- 8.5 vs 3.9 +/- 1.0 micrograms/l, p < 0.01, n = 7; 48.7 +/- 8.9 vs 3.2 +/- 0.8 micrograms/l, p < 0.01, n = 6). DPH inhibited the GH response to both GHRH (AUC: 453.9 +/- 104.7 vs 1223.7 +/- 202.6 micrograms*min/l, p < 0.05) and HEX (922.0 +/- 215.4 vs 1636.4 +/- 267.5 micrograms*min/l, p < 0.05), although the HEX-induced GH rise persisted higher than that induced by GHRH (p < 0.05). TRF did not modify the GHRH-induced GH rise (950.5 +/- 369.2 mg*min/l vs 1115.3 +/- 255.6 micrograms*min/l) as well as the somatotrope responsiveness to HEX (1163.2 +/- 188.7 vs 1427.3 +/- 323.3 mg*min/l). HEX also significantly increased PRL (13.9 +/- 3.1 vs 6.5 +/- 0.8 micrograms/l, p < 0.03), ACTH (31.1 +/- 6.6 vs 16.6 +/- 2.9 pg/ml, p < 0.02) and cortisol (96.6 +/- 6.3 vs 82.2 +/- 6.2 micrograms/L, p < 0.05) levels. PRL, ACTH and cortisol responses to HEX were unaffected by DPH (536.5 +/- 85.6 vs 599.5 +/- 129.2 micrograms*min/l, 1068.5 +/- 306.0 vs 1282.8 +/- 222.0 pg*min/ml and 4277.4 +/- 588.4 vs 4738.3 +/- 355.3 micrograms*min/l, respectively) as well as by TRF (621.3 +/- 110.4 vs 530.3 +/- 131.4 micrograms*min/L, 972.4 +/- 189.6 vs 1060.2 +/- 224.7 pg*min/ml and 6203.8 +/- 1329.5 vs 5141.2 +/- 295.5 micrograms*min/l, respectively). In conclusion, our findings are against the hypothesis of a major role of H1-receptor-mediated histaminergic influence on GH secretion in humans. In fact, the H1-histaminergic blockade by TRF does not affect the GH response to GHRH or HEX; the inhibitory effect of DPH may probably be due to its intrinsic anticholinergic activity. Our data also confirm that Hexarelin releases more GH than GHRH and demonstrate that its effect on GH, PRL and ACTH release is not mediated by H1-receptors.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, University of Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arvat
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maccagno
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramunni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianotti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Vito
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deghenghi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Camanni
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ghigo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000187:drug effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D016593:Terfenadine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D009842:Oligopeptides; C086184:hexarelin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D016593:Terfenadine; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone