Authors: L L Morselli P Bongioanni M Genovesi R Licitra B Rossi L Murri F Bogazzi E Cecconi E Martino M Gasperi
Publish Date: 2014/04/11
Volume: 30, Issue: 9, Pages: 767-770
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS the most common motor neurone disorder in human adults is characterized by selective and progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurones in the central nervous system The main currently available drug for ALS treatment is riluzole a compound that acts through inhibition of glutamate release postsynaptic receptor activation and voltagesensitive channel inhibition GH secretion evaluated by GHRH+arginine ARG test has recently been reported to be impaired in most untreated ALS patients The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether riluzole administration could interfere with GH secretion and therefore with the diagnosis of adult GH deficiency Ten patients 6 males 4 females mean age 59±11 yr were studied performing GHRH+ARG test before and 3 months after starting riluzole treatment 100 mg/day Blood samples for GH were collected at baseline at 30 and 60 min Both before and during riluzole treatment 5 patients showed GH deficiency and 5 patients had a normal GH response according to body mass index BMI Mean peak GH levels were similar before and during riluzole treatment 134±10 vs 142±101 μg/l p=ns No significant correlation was observed between GH concentrations and age BMI disease duration severity or clinical bulbar/spinal form In conclusion the present data confirm that GH secretion is impaired in a new series of ALS patients and indicate that riluzole treatment does not interfere with GH secretion Thus evaluation of GH secretion in ALS patients can also be performed without withdrawing riluzole treatment
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