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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2002; 110(7): 343-347
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34991
Article

© Johann Ambrosius Barth

Growth Hormone Secretagogue (GHS) Analogue, Hexarelin Stimulates GH From Peripheral Lymphocytes

L. Poppi 1 , V. D. Dixit 1 , M. Baratta2 , A. Giustina 3 , C. Tamanini 2 , N. Parvizi 1
  • 1 Institute of animal science, 31535 Neustadt, Germany
  • 2 Institute of veterinary physiology, University of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
  • 3 Department of internal medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received 4 February 02 first decision 19 March 02

accepted 6 May 02

Publication Date:
24 October 2002 (online)

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Summary

The role of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) analogue hexarelin was investigated in the regulation of GH production from lymphocytes. Porcine and bovine blood mononuclear cells were separated using density gradient centrifugation method by layering the whole blood or buffy coat cells on lymphodex. Cells were incubated for 3 or 5 days with or without phytohemagglutinin (PHA-M), GHRH, GHRP-6 analogue hexarelin, somatostatin or GHRH + hexarelin. Growth hormone was fractionated from supernatants by gel chromatography and further concentrated by lyophilisation at - 20 °C. A nearly two fold increase in basal secretion of GH (porcine: 3.5 ± 0.1 ng/ml, bovine: 3.2 ± 0.2 ng/ml) was achived by GHRH and hexarelin at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 nM in both porcine and bovine cells. Lymphocytic GH release was also stimulated in response to PHA-M (10 μg/well). Neither a dose dependent nor a synergistic nor an additive effect was apparent on GH secretion from lymphocytes. GHRH stimulated lymphocytic GH secretion, whereas, somatostatin had no effect. This study reports for the first time that hexarelin stimulates the secretion of GH from peripheral lymphocytes.

Key words:

GH secretagogues - Lymphocytes - Porcine - Bovine - Immunoendocrine interactions

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Prof. Dr. N. Parvizi

Institute of animal science

31535 Neustadt a. Rbg.

Germany

Phone: + 49 (0) 50 34/87 11 63

Fax: + 49 (0) 50 34/87 11 43

Email: parvizi@tzv.fal.de