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Study · Randomized controlled trial · 1996

14 results

Pituitary responsiveness to GH-releasing hormone, GH-releasing peptide-2 and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone in critical illness.

Van den Berghe G, de Zegher F, Bowers CY, Wouters P, Muller P, Soetens F, Vlasselaers D, Schetz M, Verwaest C, Lauwers P, Bouillon R

Clinical endocrinology1 Sept 1996Cited by 37 (Europe PMC)

PMID8949573 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1046/j.1365-2265.1996.00805.x (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-08949573
Publisher pagePubMedAsk about this study
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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study14

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 produced a striking GH response, with mean peak GH of 51 micrograms/l in older and 102 micrograms/l in younger patients (P = 0.005 versus placebo).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 caused a large rise in growth hormone compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreasePeak GH response to GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
    Studied dose
    1 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Peak GH
    51 micrograms/l
    older patients
    Peak GH
    102 micrograms/l
    younger patients

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Critically ill patients presented a striking GH response to GHRP-2 (mean +/- SEM peak GH 51 +/- 9 micrograms/l in older patients and 102 +/- 26 micrograms/l in younger patients; P = 0.005 vs placebo).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, the mean GH response to GHRP‑2 was more than fourfold higher than to GHRH (P = 0.007).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, the growth hormone response to GHRP‑2 was more than fourfold higher than the response to GHRH.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreaseGH response to GHRP-2 versus GHRH
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRH
    Outcome group
    Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
    Studied dose
    1 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The mean GH response to GHRP-2 was more than fourfold higher than to GHRH (P = 0.007).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).
  3. 03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 had no effect on serum TSH concentrations.

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 did not change blood TSH levels.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    No significant changeSerum TSH response to GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones
    Studied dose
    1 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    GHRP-2 had no effect on serum TSH concentrations
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).
  4. 04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 increased basal serum cortisol by 35% (P = 0.02).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 raised blood cortisol above its starting level.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreaseBasal serum cortisol after GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Basal level
    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones
    Studied dose
    1 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Basal serum cortisol
    531 nmol/l
    baseline
    Cortisol increase
    35%
    GHRP-2

    Source sentences

    Summary
    GHRP-2 increased basal serum cortisol levels (531 +/- 29 nmol/l) by 35% (P = 0.02)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

Studies that did not test the peptide alone10

In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  1. 05HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, the GH response to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 was 2.5-fold higher than to GHRP‑2 alone (P = 0.01), indicating synergism.

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRH and GHRP‑2 together raised growth hormone 2.5-fold more than GHRP‑2 alone.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreaseGH response to GHRH+GHRP-2 versus GHRP-2 alone
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRP-2 alone
    Outcome group
    Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In turn, the mean GH response to GHRH+GHRP-2 was 2.5-fold higher than to GHRP-2 alone (P = 0.01), indicating synergism.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  2. 06HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, adding TRH to the GHRH plus GHRP‑2 combination slightly blunted the mean GH response by 18% (P = 0.01).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 slightly reduced the growth hormone response.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    DecreaseGH response to GHRH+GHRP-2 with added TRH
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRH+GHRP-2
    Outcome group
    Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Adding TRH to the GHRH+GHRP-2 combination slightly blunted this mean response by 18% (P = 0.01).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  3. 07HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, GHRH plus GHRP‑2 increased peak TSH levels by 32%.

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRH and GHRP‑2 together raised peak TSH levels.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreasePeak TSH after GHRH+GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    both GHRH and GHRH+GHRP-2 evoked an increase in peak TSH levels of 53 and 32% respectively.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  4. 08HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 increased the TSH response more than ninefold (P = 0.005).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 raised the TSH response many times over.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreaseTSH response after adding TRH to GHRH+GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRH+GHRP-2
    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The addition of TRH further increased this TSH response > ninefold (P = 0.005)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  5. 09HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 raised serum T3 by 60% (P = 0.01).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 raised blood T3 levels.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreaseSerum T3 after adding TRH to GHRH+GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRH+GHRP-2
    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    elicited a 60% rise in serum T3 (P = 0.01)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  6. 10HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 raised serum T4 by 18% (P = 0.005).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 raised blood T4 levels.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreaseSerum T4 after adding TRH to GHRH+GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRH+GHRP-2
    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    an 18% increase in T4 (P = 0.005)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  7. 11HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 did not alter rT3 or TBG levels.

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 did not change rT3 or TBG levels.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    No significant changeSerum rT3 and TBG after adding TRH
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRH+GHRP-2
    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    without altering rT3 or TBG levels.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  8. 12HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, GHRH and/or GHRP‑2 induced a small increase in serum PRL levels.

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRH or GHRP‑2, alone or together, slightly raised blood prolactin levels.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreaseSerum PRL after GHRH and/or GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    GHRH and/or GHRP-2 induced a small increase in serum PRL levels.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  9. 13HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, adding TRH magnified the PRL response 2.4-fold (P = 0.007).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, adding TRH made the prolactin response 2.4-fold larger.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreasePRL response after adding TRH
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRH and/or GHRP-2
    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The addition of TRH magnified the PRL response 2.4-fold (P = 0.007).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

  10. 14HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 further increased the cortisol response by 20% (P = 0.05).

    In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, adding TRH to GHRH plus GHRP‑2 raised the cortisol response further.

    Peptide
    GHRP-2
    Outcome
    IncreaseCortisol response after adding TRH to GHRH+GHRP-2
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    GHRH+GHRP-2
    Outcome group
    Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    GHRH provoked no additional response, but adding TRH further increased the cortisol response by 20% (P = 0.05).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Critically ill adults (n = 40; mean age 55 years) received two i.v. boluses with a 6-hour interval (0900 and 1500 h) within a cross-over design.
    Summary · context
    Patients were randomized to receive consecutively placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 (n = 10), GHRH+GHRP-2 and GHRH+GHRP-2 + TRH (n = 10).

    In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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