Failure of naloxone to influence plasma growth hormone, prolactin, and cortisol secretions induced by insulin hypoglycemia

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1980 Mar;50(3):597-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem-50-3-597.

Abstract

The effect of naloxone, a specific antagonist of opioid peptides, on plasma, GH, PRL, and cortisol responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia was studied in five healthy male subjects. The iv administration of regular insulin (0.15 U/kg) led to similar degrees of hypoglycemia on control and experimental days. Plasma GH, PRL, and cortisol levels rose significantly in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. A 2-h infusion of naloxone (0.8 mg/h) started 30 min before insulin injection did not alter either basal hormone levels or the hormone responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. These results suggest that endogenous opioid peptides do not play a major role in GH, PRL, or cortisol secretion induced by insulin hypoglycemia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Endorphins / physiology
  • Growth Hormone / blood*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood*
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hypoglycemia / physiopathology*
  • Insulin
  • Male
  • Naloxone / pharmacology*
  • Prolactin / blood*

Substances

  • Endorphins
  • Insulin
  • Naloxone
  • Prolactin
  • Growth Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone