Depression of growth hormone and cortisol response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia after prolonged oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol administration in man

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976 May;42(5):938-41. doi: 10.1210/jcem-42-5-938.

Abstract

Six hospitalized volunteer male subjects were given insulin, 0.15 U/kg, before and after 14 days of administration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at a dose of 210 mg/day. A diminished maximal serum human growth hormone (GH) increase followed the prolonged THC ingestion. The mean maximal GH response was: 52.6 ng/ml +/- 8.7 (+/-SE) before THC and 18.8 ng/ml +/- 6.7 (+/-SE) during THC, P less than 0.01; corresponding cortisol responses were 20.1 mug/dl +/- 3.0 before THC and 10.0 mug/dl +/- 1.1 during THC, P less than 0.05. The data suggest suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis after prolonged high dose THC use. This is consistent with other reported endocrine effects of marijuana in man.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Cannabis / pharmacology*
  • Dronabinol / administration & dosage
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Growth Hormone / blood*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood*
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects*
  • Insulin / adverse effects
  • Insulin / pharmacology
  • Male

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Dronabinol
  • Growth Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone