Noradrenergic regulation of growth hormone secretion in the baboon.

We have investigated the effects of iv administered noradrenergic agonists and antagonists on plasma GH concentration in the adolescent baboon, Papio papio, with the aim of defining the relative roles of adrenergic receptor subtypes (alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1, and beta 2) in the regulation of GH release. Clonidine (0.02 mg/kg) or UK-14,304 (0.02 mg/kg), potent centrally acting alpha 2 noradrenergic agonists, were infused into 24 animals pretreated with either saline, or selective alpha 1 and alpha 2 noradrenergic antagonists. Both agonists potently augment plasma GH, producing peak levels of 30-60 ng/ml 15 min post infusion. These responses can be prevented by the prior infusion of the alpha 2 antagonist, piperoxane (1.0 mg/kg), but not by the alpha 1 antagonist, prazosin (2.0 mg/kg). Log dose response curves of the 2 agonists demonstrate a greater potency for UK-14,304 vs. clonidine on a molar basis. In animals pretreated with monoamine depleting agents (reserpine and alpha-methyl paratyrosine) the plasma GH response to an infusion of clonidine (0.02 mg/kg) is significantly enhanced (P less than 0.001). Beta-Adrenoreceptor antagonism by propranolol (0.02 or 1.0 mg/kg) or the more selective beta 2-adrenoreceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551 (0.02-1.0 mg/kg), results in a rapid and significant (P less than 0.01) increase in plasma GH. The beta 1-antagonist, practolol (0.2-2.0 mg/kg), does not alter plasma GH levels. It is proposed that in the baboon, noradrenaline acts on alpha 2-noradrenergic receptors to stimulate GH release and on beta 2-noradrenergic receptors to inhibit GH release.