Opiate peptides control growth hormone through a cholinergic mechanism in man.

Journal article

Opiate peptides are known to elevate circulating GH in man, and data in other animals suggest that acetylcholine may be involved. We have administered the long-acting met-enkephalin analogue DAMME to 6 normal males, and have shown that the resulting elevation in GH is blocked by the specific cholinergic antagonist, pirenzepine. It seems likely that a cholinergic mechanism may interact with opiate-induced changes in GH in man.

Authors: Delitala, G; Grossman, A; Besser, G

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Clinical endocrinology
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 401-405
• Publication date: 1983-04-01
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1983.tb00585.x
• EISSN: 1365-2265
• ISSN: 0300-0664
• Language: English
• Keywords: Adult; Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; D-Ala(2),MePhe(4),Met(0)-ol-enkephalin; Endorphins; Enkephalin, Methionine; Male; Growth Hormone; Thyrotropin; Parasympatholytics; Benzodiazepinones; Pirenzepine; Hydrocortisone; Receptors, Cholinergic; Gonadotropins, Pituitary; Humans