Corticotropin-releasing effect of hexarelin, a peptidyl GH secretagogue, in normal subjects pretreated with metyrapone or RU-486, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, and in patients with Addison's disease.

Arvat E, Ramunni J, Maccagno B, Giordano R, Broglio F, Deghenghi R, Boscaro M, Ghigo E

Neuroendocrinology1 Sept 1999Cited by 7 (Europe PMC)

PMID10516483DOI10.1159/000054477PepBankPUB-10516483

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

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 study12

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

01HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In patients with Addison's disease, hexarelin elicited a marked ACTH response that was higher than in normal subjects after hexarelin alone.
In plain wordsIn people with Addison's disease, hexarelin caused a large ACTH rise, larger than in healthy people given hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseACTH response to hexarelin in Addison's disease versus normal subjects
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Normal subjects given hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In AD, HEX elicited a marked ACTH response (6,619.4 +/- 3,365.8 pg/ml/h; p < 0.01), which was clearly higher (p < 0.01) than that in NS after HEX alone but not significantly different from that after HEX+MET.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The endocrine responses (mean +/- SEM) to HEX alone were also studied in 8 patients with Addison's disease (AD, 6 males, 2 females, age 30-77 years; last hydrocortisone administration the day before testing).
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
Report a problemFND-1051648310
02HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In patients with Addison's disease, the GH response to hexarelin was similar to that in normal subjects.
In plain wordsIn people with Addison's disease, growth hormone rose after hexarelin about as much as in healthy people.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH response to hexarelin in Addison's disease versus normal subjects
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Normal subjects
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The GH response to HEX in AD (1,325.6 +/- 284.1 microgram/l/h) was similar to that in NS (1,519.7 +/- 483.8 microgram/l/h).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The endocrine responses (mean +/- SEM) to HEX alone were also studied in 8 patients with Addison's disease (AD, 6 males, 2 females, age 30-77 years; last hydrocortisone administration the day before testing).
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
Report a problemFND-1051648312
03HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, hexarelin increased ACTH levels over basal.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, hexarelin raised ACTH levels above the starting level.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseACTH response to hexarelin in normal women
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Basal levels
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Peak ACTH
26 pg/ml
hexarelin
Basal ACTH
10.7 pg/ml
basal
Source sentences
Summary
In NS, HEX stimulated basal ACTH (peak, mean +/- SEM: 26.0 +/- 7.8 vs. 10.7 +/- 2.0 pg/ml, p < 0. 05), cortisol (163.2 +/- 18.3 vs. 137.4 +/- 15.4 microgram/l, p < 0.05) and GH (72.6 +/- 23.5 vs. 3.7 +/- 1.3 microgram/l, p < 0.01) levels.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
Report a problemFND-1051648301
04HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, hexarelin increased cortisol levels over basal.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, hexarelin raised cortisol levels above the starting level.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseCortisol response to hexarelin in normal women
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Basal levels
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Peak cortisol
163.2 microgram/l
hexarelin
Basal cortisol
137.4 microgram/l
basal
Source sentences
Summary
In NS, HEX stimulated basal ACTH (peak, mean +/- SEM: 26.0 +/- 7.8 vs. 10.7 +/- 2.0 pg/ml, p < 0. 05), cortisol (163.2 +/- 18.3 vs. 137.4 +/- 15.4 microgram/l, p < 0.05) and GH (72.6 +/- 23.5 vs. 3.7 +/- 1.3 microgram/l, p < 0.01) levels.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
Report a problemFND-1051648302
05HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, hexarelin increased GH levels over basal.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, hexarelin raised growth hormone levels above the starting level.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseGH response to hexarelin in normal women
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Basal levels
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microgram/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Peak GH
72.6 microgram/l
hexarelin
Basal GH
3.7 microgram/l
basal
Source sentences
Summary
In NS, HEX stimulated basal ACTH (peak, mean +/- SEM: 26.0 +/- 7.8 vs. 10.7 +/- 2.0 pg/ml, p < 0. 05), cortisol (163.2 +/- 18.3 vs. 137.4 +/- 15.4 microgram/l, p < 0.05) and GH (72.6 +/- 23.5 vs. 3.7 +/- 1.3 microgram/l, p < 0.01) levels.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
Report a problemFND-1051648303

Studies that did not test the peptide alone7

In this study, Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin.

06HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In patients with Addison's disease, the ACTH response to hexarelin did not differ significantly from that of normal subjects after hexarelin plus metyrapone.
In plain wordsIn people with Addison's disease, the ACTH response to hexarelin was not clearly different from healthy people given hexarelin after metyrapone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH response to hexarelin in Addison's disease versus normal subjects after hexarelin plus metyrapone
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Normal subjects given hexarelin after metyrapone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
In AD, HEX elicited a marked ACTH response (6,619.4 +/- 3,365.8 pg/ml/h; p < 0.01), which was clearly higher (p < 0.01) than that in NS after HEX alone but not significantly different from that after HEX+MET.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The endocrine responses (mean +/- SEM) to HEX alone were also studied in 8 patients with Addison's disease (AD, 6 males, 2 females, age 30-77 years; last hydrocortisone administration the day before testing).
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
In this study, Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin.
Report a problemFND-1051648311
07HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, metyrapone pretreatment increased the ACTH response to hexarelin compared with hexarelin alone.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, the ACTH response to hexarelin was larger after metyrapone than with hexarelin alone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseACTH response to hexarelin after metyrapone
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
After metyrapone pretreatment the ACTH response to HEX was clearly increased (DeltaAUC: 2,857.4 +/- 901.9 vs. 367.3 +/- 274.0 pg/ml/h, p < 0.05), while the GH response was not modified.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
In this study, Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin.
Report a problemFND-1051648304
08HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, metyrapone pretreatment did not modify the GH response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, metyrapone did not change the growth hormone response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH response to hexarelin after metyrapone
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
After metyrapone pretreatment the ACTH response to HEX was clearly increased (DeltaAUC: 2,857.4 +/- 901.9 vs. 367.3 +/- 274.0 pg/ml/h, p < 0.05), while the GH response was not modified.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
In this study, Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin.
Report a problemFND-1051648305
09HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, hexarelin did not stimulate the low cortisol levels after metyrapone pretreatment.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, hexarelin did not raise cortisol that metyrapone had pushed low.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol response to hexarelin after metyrapone
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Basal levels
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
HEX did not stimulate the low cortisol levels after metyrapone pretreatment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
In this study, Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin.
Report a problemFND-1051648306
10HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, RU-486 pretreatment did not modify the ACTH response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, RU-486 did not change the ACTH response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH response to hexarelin after RU-486
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
RU-486 pretreatment did not modify the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
In this study, Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin.
Report a problemFND-1051648307
11HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, RU-486 pretreatment did not modify the cortisol response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, RU-486 did not change the cortisol response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol response to hexarelin after RU-486
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
RU-486 pretreatment did not modify the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
In this study, Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin.
Report a problemFND-1051648308
12HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In normal women, RU-486 pretreatment did not modify the GH response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, RU-486 did not change the growth hormone response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH response to hexarelin after RU-486
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
RU-486 pretreatment did not modify the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Based on the foregoing, we studied the ACTH, cortisol and GH responses to HEX (2.0 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone and after metyrapone (2 g p.o. at 23:00 h the night before) or RU-486 (400 mg p.o. at 02:00 h), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in 6 normal women (NS, age 26-34 years).
In this study, Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin.
Report a problemFND-1051648309

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

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