Thyrotrophin and prolactin release in prolonged critical illness: dynamics of spontaneous secretion and effects of growth hormone-secretagogues.

Van den Berghe G, de Zegher F, Veldhuis JD, Wouters P, Gouwy S, Stockman W, Weekers F, Schetz M, Lauwers P, Bouillon R, Bowers CY

Clinical endocrinology1 Nov 1997Cited by 73 (Europe PMC)

PMID9425400DOI10.1046/j.1365-2265.1997.3371118.xPepBankPUB-09425400

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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 study6

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. 5 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 infusion reduced the proportion of TSH released in a pulsatile fashion to half that during placebo.
In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 infusion halved the share of TSH released in pulses compared with placebo.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
DecreasePulsatile fraction of TSH release
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Thyroid function · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microgram/kg bolus, then 1 microgram/kg/h · infusion · 21 hoursAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
GHRP-2 infusion further reduced the proportion of TSH released in a pulsatile fashion to half that during placebo infusion (P = 0.02), without altering mean TSH levels.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Twenty-six critically ill adults (mean +/- SEM age: 63 +/- 2 years) were studied during two consecutive nights (2100-0600 h).
Summary · context
According to a weighed randomization, they received 1 of 4 combinations of infusions, within a randomized, cross-over design for each combination: placebo (one night) and GHRH (the next night) (n = 4); placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10); GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 6); GHRP-2 and GHRH + GHRP-2 (n = 6).
Summary · context
Peptide infusions (duration 21 hours) were started after a bolus of 1 microgram/kg at 0900 h and infused (1 microgram/kg/h) until 0600 h.
Report a problemFND-0942540001
02HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 infusion did not alter mean TSH levels versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 infusion did not change average TSH levels compared with placebo.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
No significant changeMean TSH level
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Thyroid function · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microgram/kg bolus, then 1 microgram/kg/h · infusion · 21 hoursAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
GHRP-2 infusion further reduced the proportion of TSH released in a pulsatile fashion to half that during placebo infusion (P = 0.02), without altering mean TSH levels.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Twenty-six critically ill adults (mean +/- SEM age: 63 +/- 2 years) were studied during two consecutive nights (2100-0600 h).
Summary · context
According to a weighed randomization, they received 1 of 4 combinations of infusions, within a randomized, cross-over design for each combination: placebo (one night) and GHRH (the next night) (n = 4); placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10); GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 6); GHRP-2 and GHRH + GHRP-2 (n = 6).
Summary · context
Peptide infusions (duration 21 hours) were started after a bolus of 1 microgram/kg at 0900 h and infused (1 microgram/kg/h) until 0600 h.
Report a problemFND-0942540002
03HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In critically ill adults, adding GHRP‑2 to GHRH infusion abolished the stimulatory effect of GHRH on pulsatile TSH secretion.
In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, adding GHRP‑2 to GHRH removed the rise in pulsed TSH release that GHRH caused alone.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
DecreasePulsatile TSH secretion with GHRP-2 added to GHRH
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
GHRH infusion alone
Outcome group
Thyroid function · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microgram/kg bolus, then 1 microgram/kg/h · infusion · 21 hoursAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The addition of GHRP-2 to GHRH infusion abolished the stimulatory effect of GHRH on pulsatile TSH secretion.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Twenty-six critically ill adults (mean +/- SEM age: 63 +/- 2 years) were studied during two consecutive nights (2100-0600 h).
Summary · context
According to a weighed randomization, they received 1 of 4 combinations of infusions, within a randomized, cross-over design for each combination: placebo (one night) and GHRH (the next night) (n = 4); placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10); GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 6); GHRP-2 and GHRH + GHRP-2 (n = 6).
Summary · context
Peptide infusions (duration 21 hours) were started after a bolus of 1 microgram/kg at 0900 h and infused (1 microgram/kg/h) until 0600 h.
Report a problemFND-0942540003
04HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 infusion induced a small increase in mean PRL levels (21%) versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 infusion slightly raised average prolactin levels compared with placebo.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseMean PRL level
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pituitary hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microgram/kg bolus, then 1 microgram/kg/h · infusion · 21 hoursAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Mean PRL increase
21%
GHRP-2 versus placebo
Source sentences
Summary
GHRP-2 infusion induced a small increase in mean PRL levels (21%; P = 0.02) and basal PRL secretion rate (49%; P = 0.02) compared to placebo, as did GHRH and GHRH + GHRP-2.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Twenty-six critically ill adults (mean +/- SEM age: 63 +/- 2 years) were studied during two consecutive nights (2100-0600 h).
Summary · context
According to a weighed randomization, they received 1 of 4 combinations of infusions, within a randomized, cross-over design for each combination: placebo (one night) and GHRH (the next night) (n = 4); placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10); GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 6); GHRP-2 and GHRH + GHRP-2 (n = 6).
Summary · context
Peptide infusions (duration 21 hours) were started after a bolus of 1 microgram/kg at 0900 h and infused (1 microgram/kg/h) until 0600 h.
Report a problemFND-0942540004
05HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 infusion increased the basal PRL secretion rate (49%) versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRP‑2 infusion raised the basal prolactin release rate compared with placebo.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreaseBasal PRL secretion rate
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pituitary hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microgram/kg bolus, then 1 microgram/kg/h · infusion · 21 hoursAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Basal PRL secretion rate increase
49%
GHRP-2 versus placebo
Source sentences
Summary
GHRP-2 infusion induced a small increase in mean PRL levels (21%; P = 0.02) and basal PRL secretion rate (49%; P = 0.02) compared to placebo, as did GHRH and GHRH + GHRP-2.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Twenty-six critically ill adults (mean +/- SEM age: 63 +/- 2 years) were studied during two consecutive nights (2100-0600 h).
Summary · context
According to a weighed randomization, they received 1 of 4 combinations of infusions, within a randomized, cross-over design for each combination: placebo (one night) and GHRH (the next night) (n = 4); placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10); GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 6); GHRP-2 and GHRH + GHRP-2 (n = 6).
Summary · context
Peptide infusions (duration 21 hours) were started after a bolus of 1 microgram/kg at 0900 h and infused (1 microgram/kg/h) until 0600 h.
Report a problemFND-0942540005

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

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.

06HumanNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In critically ill adults, a combined GHRH plus GHRP‑2 infusion also increased PRL levels versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn critically ill adults, GHRH and GHRP‑2 infused together also raised prolactin compared with placebo.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
IncreasePRL levels with GHRH plus GHRP-2
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pituitary hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
GHRP-2 infusion induced a small increase in mean PRL levels (21%; P = 0.02) and basal PRL secretion rate (49%; P = 0.02) compared to placebo, as did GHRH and GHRH + GHRP-2.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Twenty-six critically ill adults (mean +/- SEM age: 63 +/- 2 years) were studied during two consecutive nights (2100-0600 h).
Summary · context
According to a weighed randomization, they received 1 of 4 combinations of infusions, within a randomized, cross-over design for each combination: placebo (one night) and GHRH (the next night) (n = 4); placebo and GHRP-2 (n = 10); GHRH and GHRP-2 (n = 6); GHRP-2 and GHRH + GHRP-2 (n = 6).
Summary · context
Peptide infusions (duration 21 hours) were started after a bolus of 1 microgram/kg at 0900 h and infused (1 microgram/kg/h) until 0600 h.
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.
Report a problemFND-0942540006

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.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
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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