In eight patients with GTS (six males and two females), ranging from 7 to 14 years, the secretion of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was investigated.
1) GH: Two of 8 patients with GTS revealed no response (peak GH level≤5ng/m
l) to insulin, 3 patients borderline response (5ng/m
l±peak GH level±10 ng/m
l), and other 3 patients normal response (10 ng/m
l≤peak GH level). In 3 patients, the time of peak GH level was delayed. In all patients with GTS, the response of GH to insulin loading was followed as the mean baseline GH level; 0.15±0.40ng/m
l (mean±S. D.), the mean peak GH level ;9.55±5.28 ng/m
l, and ΔGH (peak GH level minus baseline GH level);9.40±5.47 ng/m
l. As compared with the values of 8 age and sex matched controls (the mean baseline GH level: 2.02± 2.23 ng/m
l, the mean peak GH level 28.04±19.83 ng/m
l, and ΔGH 26.02±19.21 ng/m
l), the mean peak GH level of GTS was significantly low (P±0.05 student t-test). Four (no response; 2, and borderline response; 2) of 5 patients with no or borderline response to insulin loading were studied by the intravenous drip infusion of L-arginine (0.5 g/kg). Two of 4 patients showed normal response. One of 2 patients, who were no response to insulin loading, was no response, and other one borderline response.
2) PRL: All patients but one revealed the normal response of PRL to intravenous injection of TRH. In one, the low response of PRL was observed. In two, the delayed response of PRL was observed.
3) TSH: The secretion of TSH which was examined in 2 patients was normal in response.
4) In 4 of 5 patients who were no or borderline response to insulin loading, the secretion of GH during sleep was investigated, and in two, PRL, too. The episodic secretion and sleep enhancement of GH and PRL were seen during sleep. However, the peak level of GH secretion did not always agree with the state of the slow wave sleep.
From the above results, it was suggested that the latent endocrinological dysfunction exists in some patients with GTS.
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