Radioimmunoassayable serum somatomedin B in normal subjects and in patients with acromegaly and pituitary dwarfism: effects of human growth hormone therapy.

We report the results obtained with a radioimmunoassay for serum somatomedin B (SmB) in 29 normal subjects, in 33 pituitary dwarfs (GHD) and 6 acromegalic patients. There were no significant differences between the basal SmB levels of the GHD and the normal subjects higher value observed in the acromegalic group (p < 0.01). After acute human growth hormone administration a parallel increase of SmB serum levels and plasma growth hormone was seen (r = 0.562; p < 0.01). Of 12 GHD subjects SmB serum levels increased only in five, after chronic hGH administration.