Antihypertensive therapy with guanfacine induces elevated plasma growth hormone levels in diabetic patients
Coves, M.J.; Gomis, R.; Casamitjana, R.; Lienas, V.; Vilaradell, E.
Journal of Medicine 20(3-4): 291-296
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7850 PMID: 2572660 Document Number: 327123
Guanfacine, a central .alpha.-adrenoreceptor agonist, may increase growth hormone (GH) secretion. We have investigated the effect of guanfacine upon plasma GH levels in 16 hypertensive non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDD) patients. Guanfacine (1 to 2 mg/day/os) was adminisred for six months, and GH measured in basal plasma samples before and after treatment with this drug. Our results show an increase in GH plasma levels after guanfacine administration (2.88 .+-. 2.05 ng/ml (X .+-. SD) before, and 4.37 .+-. 1.80 ng/ml (X .+-. SD) after treatment). Since it is believed that GH levels play a role in the course of diabetic retinopathy, caution should be taken with guanfacine antihypertensive treatment in patients affected with diabetes mellitus.