Showing papers by "J. A. H. Wass published in 1979"

The effect of lisuride hydrogen maleate, an ergot derivative on anterior pituitary hormone secretion in man.

Abstract: SUMMARY The effects of single oral doses of 0.2 mg of lisuride hydrogen maleate, a semisynthetic ergot derivative, on serum levels of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), cortisol and blood glucose were studied in six normal males. Lisuride effectively inhibited basal PRL secretion as well as the PRL response to TRH given 3 h later. In addition, the drug raised basal GH levels and decreased basal and TRH stimulated TSH secretion. No significant differences between lisuride and control were observed in basal LH and FSH, LHRH stimulated gonadotrophins or in cortisol. Drowsiness was noted by all subjects, one became nauseated and another vomited, 60 and 90 min respectively after administration of lisuride. No changes were seen in pulse rate and blood pressure. The endocrine effects of lisuride were attenuated by the prior administration of the dopamine antagonist metoclo-pramide. These results suggest that lisuride acts as a long-acting dopamine agonist and that therefore this drug could be of therapeutic use in hyperprolactinaemic states and acromegaly.

Effects of the h2 receptor antagonist cimetidine on pituitary hormones in man

Abstract: SUMMARY The effects of the histamine (H2) receptor antagonist cimetidine on serum levels of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and cortisol were studied in five normal males. Cimetidine, when given by infusion at the dose of 100 mg/h for 5 h, did not alter adenohypophyseal secretion either basally or after pituitary stimulation with LHRH and TRH. However, 400 mg cimetidine given intravenously as a bolus injection significantly stimulated PRL release in all subjects, without affecting any other measured hormone. A dose-response relationship existed, and 200 mg cimetidine seems to be the minimum PRL-releasing dose when given as an intravenous bolus injection. These results suggest that cimetidine releases PRL and that this effect is dose-related, but only when large intravenous injections are given.

Clinical Neuroendocrine Relationships in Normal and Disordered Prolactin Secretion

Abstract: Fortunately the establishment of the existence of prolactin in man coincided with the clarification the neurohumoral control of prolactin secretion in subhuman species in the decade around 1970 (see review by Thorner, 1977); this allowed the rapid extension of these studies into the clinical sphere. In general terms the mechanisms controlling secretion of prolactin appear similar in man and other mammals and this has allowed the successful exploitation of basic neuroendocrine advances to the development of drugs of great value for the clinical control of the common hyperprolact-inaemic states and these will be reviewed here.

Bromocriptine and Endocrine Disorders

Abstract: Excerpt To the editor: Drs. Spark and Dickstein have presented an excellent overview of the role of bromocriptine in the treatment of endocrine disorders (1). We wish, however, to comment on severa...