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  • Title: Effects of glucocorticoids on pituitary hormonal responses to hypoglycemia. Inhibition of prolactin release.
    Author: Copinschi G, L'Hermite M, Leclercq R, Golstein J, Vanhaelst L, Virasoro E, Robyn C.
    Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab; 1975 Mar; 40(3):442-9. PubMed ID: 163844.
    Abstract:
    The characteristics of pituitary hormonal responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia were investigated in 16 normal men. In all subjects, levels of blood sugar fell below 35 mg/100 ml. A statistically significant increase in mean plasma levels of prolactin, ACTH, cortisol and growth hormone was observed. Prolactin levels increased in all subjects but one; individual peak values were 1.4 minus 8.4 times greater than base levels. The kinetics of prolactin, GH and ACTH responses were similar; in particular, the onset of release (25 min) of prolactin, GH and ACTH was similar. After dexamethasone administration, insulin tolerance tests wererepeated in a number of subjects using adequate amounts of insulin to achieve hypoglycemia equivalent to that obtained in the control experiments. The administration of 1 mg of dexamethasone the evening before the test suppressed basal levels of ACTH and cortisol and the ACTH-but not the cortisol-response to hypoglycemia. Both basal levels of prolactin and prolactin response to hypoglycemia were significantly lowered but growth hormone response was not modified by administration of 1 mg of dexamethasone. The administration of larger doses of dexamethasone (1 mg every 6 h for 2 days) almost completely suppressed basal levels of ACTH, cortisol and prolactin, as well as the hypoglycemia-induced release of these hormones. In contrast, the growth hormone response to hypoglycemia was only partially inhibited. These findings demonstrate that both basal secretion and hypoglycemia-induced release of prolactin, ACTH, cortisol and growth hormone are suppressible by glucocorticoids.
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