The interaction between clonidine and growth hormone releasing hormone in the stimulation of growth hormone secretion in man.

Six normal adult males were given clonidine and GHRH either separately, or in combination, in random order. The peak serum GH concentrations elicited by clonidine or GHRH were variable but one factor influencing the GH response to GHRH was the GH secretory status in the hour prior to the administration of the GHRH. Peak serum GH concentrations attained were significantly greater when serum GH concentrations were rising (mean 52.9 mU/l, SD 17.2) than if they were falling (mean 27.5 mU/l, SD 13.3) or unchanged/undetectable (mean 20.6 mU/l, SD 9.8) (one-way ANOVA, F = 8.77; P = 0.004). The GH response to clonidine was not influenced by the secretory status in the hour prior to administration of clonidine. Pretreatment with clonidine did not augment the peak serum GH response to GHRH but the direction of response was more predictable than when GHRH was administered separately or repeatedly. Prior treatment with GHRH(1-29)-NH2 led to a marked attenuation of the peak serum GH response to clonidine. These results suggest that the alpha-2 adrenergic agonists probably stimulate GH secretion through pathways other than just GHRH.