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The growth hormone response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia in alcoholics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

R. J. Chalmers ,
E. H. Bennie ,
R. H. Johnson  and
H. G. Kinnell
R. J. Chalmers*
Affiliation:
From the University Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, and Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow
E. H. Bennie
Affiliation:
From the University Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, and Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow
R. H. Johnson
Affiliation:
From the University Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, and Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow
H. G. Kinnell
Affiliation:
From the University Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, and Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr R. J. Chalmers, The University Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF.
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Synopsis

The growth hormone response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia was studied in 7 alcoholic in-patients who had been abstinent for 2–11 days and in 10 normal controls. Blood samples were taken at intervals after the injection of soluble insulin (0·1 U/kg body weight). The growth hormone response was impaired in 4 of the alcoholics and the depression was not related to differences in blood glucose or plasma free fatty acids. The Cortisol response was also impaired in the alcoholics. We conclude that alcoholics observed after alcohol withdrawal may have a depression of hypothalamic/pituitary function.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , November 1977 , pp. 607 - 611
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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