Ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogues, physiological and pharmacological aspect.

The first "growth hormone secretagogues" (GHSs) were discovered by Bowers et al. in 1977. In 1996 the GHSs receptor (GHS-R 1a) was cloned.

Metformin reduces thyrotropin levels in obese, diabetic women with primary hypothyroidism on thyroxine replacement therapy.

Context It has been reported that metformin might modify thyroid hormone economy. In two retrospective studies, initiation of treatment with metformin caused suppression of TSH to subnormal levels. Objective To prospectively evaluate if administration of metformin to obese, diabetic patients with primary hypothyroidism on stable thyroxine replacement doses modifies TSH levels.

Effect of oral glucose on acylated and total ghrelin secretion in acromegalic patients.

Objective: The pathophysiology of ghrelin secretion in acromegaly is unclear. Our aim was to study circulating fasting ghrelin levels and their response to oral glucose in acromegalic patients and normal control subjects.

Design And Patients: 9 acromegalic patients (4 male, 5 female; 59.