[Trial treatment of diabetic retinopathy by inhibition of pituitary somatotropin secretion with MAP].

The recent literature relating to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, with or without nephropaty, is critically reviewed. Particular attention is given to the Growth Hormone (GH) hypothesis. The various procedures of hypophysectomy are discussed, including the possible ways of suppressing growth hormone production or overproduction by drugs, and expecially by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP). Personal results obtained with long-term administration of MAP in deposit form on alternate days in 10 patients with advanced retinopathy are described. An icostant and rely significant suppression of the GH response to insulin-induced hypoglicemia was noted in 6 cases, showing that a complete pituitary inactivation had been achieved. Therefore, the modifications observed in the fundus picture (studied with retinal photographs according to the Hammersmith Hospital Standards) seem to have no relationship with such a condition. The features involved were Microaneurysms and Haemorrhages (HAEMS) and Exudates (EX);New Vessels (NV) and Retinitis Proliferans (RP) were unaffected. Subjective improvement is visual acuity appeared to be more frequent, with various possible explanations. MAP was without appreciable effect on the clinical and metabolic course of the diabetes, or on renal function in cases of concomitant nephropathy. In the light of these preliminary results, further investigations might seem to be justified.