Effects of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, on the ACTH-, GH- and PRL-releasing activity of hexarelin, a synthetic peptidyl GH secretagogue (GHS), in patients with simple obesity and in patients with Cushing's disease.

Grottoli S, Arvat E, Gauna C, Maccagno B, Ramunni J, Giordano R, Maccario M, Deghenghi R, Ghigo E

Pituitary1 Nov 1999Cited by 6 (Europe PMC)

PMID11081154DOI10.1023/a:1009992909247PepBankPUB-11081154

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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 study10

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

01HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In obese patients and in patients with Cushing's disease, the GH response to hexarelin was lower than in controls.
In plain wordsIn people with obesity or Cushing's disease, hexarelin raised growth hormone less than in healthy controls.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseGH response to hexarelin in obese and Cushing's patients versus controls
Study
n = 32
Comparator
Controls
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 micrograms/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Peak GH controls
58.1 x g/L
controls
Peak GH obese
18.2 x g/L
obese
Peak GH Cushing's
12.6 x g/L
Cushing's disease
Source sentences
Summary
The GH response to HEX in controls (peak: 58.1 +/- 10.3 x g/L) was higher (p < 0.001) than those in obese and Cushing's patients (18.2 +/- 3.8 and 12.6 +/- 5.4 x g/L, respectively) which, in turn, were similar.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
Report a problemFND-1108115403
02HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
The prolactin response to hexarelin was similar in controls, obese patients and patients with Cushing's disease.
In plain wordsHexarelin raised prolactin by a similar amount in healthy controls, people with obesity and people with Cushing's disease.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changePRL response to hexarelin across groups
Study
n = 32
Comparator
Controls
Outcome group
Pituitary hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 micrograms/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Peak PRL controls
11.9 x g/L
controls
Peak PRL obese
18 x g/L
obese
Peak PRL Cushing's
12.4 x g/L
Cushing's disease
Source sentences
Summary
The PRL responses to HEX in controls, obese and Cushing's patients (peak: 11.9 +/- 1.6, 18.0 +/- 4.5 and 12.4 +/- 1.4 x g/L, respectively) were similar.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
Report a problemFND-1108115404
03HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In patients with Cushing's disease, the ACTH response to hexarelin was higher than in controls.
In plain wordsIn people with Cushing's disease, hexarelin raised ACTH much more than in healthy controls.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseACTH response to hexarelin in Cushing's disease versus controls
Study
n = 23
Comparator
Controls
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 micrograms/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Peak ACTH Cushing's
210.7 ng/L
Cushing's disease
Delta peak ACTH controls
9.9 ng/L
controls
Source sentences
Summary
The HEX-induced ACTH response in controls was similar to that in obese patients (delta peak: 9.9 +/- 1.9 and 24.7 +/- 7.6 ng/L, respectively) and both were lower (p < 0.002) than that in Cushing's patients (peak: 210.7 +/- 58.4 ng/L).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
Report a problemFND-1108115401
04HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In obese patients, the ACTH response to hexarelin was similar to that in controls.
In plain wordsIn people with obesity, hexarelin raised ACTH about as much as in healthy controls.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH response to hexarelin in obese patients versus controls
Study
n = 23
Comparator
Controls
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 micrograms/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Delta peak ACTH obese
24.7 ng/L
obese
Delta peak ACTH controls
9.9 ng/L
controls
Source sentences
Summary
The HEX-induced ACTH response in controls was similar to that in obese patients (delta peak: 9.9 +/- 1.9 and 24.7 +/- 7.6 ng/L, respectively) and both were lower (p < 0.002) than that in Cushing's patients (peak: 210.7 +/- 58.4 ng/L).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
Report a problemFND-1108115402

Studies that did not test the peptide alone6

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.

05HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In controls, obese patients and patients with Cushing's disease, alprazolam pretreatment did not modify the prolactin response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy controls, people with obesity and people with Cushing's disease, alprazolam did not change the prolactin response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeAlprazolam effect on PRL response to hexarelin
Study
n = 32
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Pituitary hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
ALP did not modify the HEX-induced PRL response in controls, obese and Cushing's patients (peak: 13.8 +/- 0.9, 16.3 +/- 2.4 and 19.2 +/- 1.1 x g/L, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
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-1108115410
06HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In obese patients and patients with Cushing's disease, alprazolam pretreatment did not modify the GH response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn people with obesity or Cushing's disease, alprazolam did not change the growth hormone response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeAlprazolam effect on GH response to hexarelin in obese and Cushing's patients
Study
n = 18
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
ALP blunted the GH response to HEX in controls (peak: 31.0 +/- 7.1 x g/L, p < 0.03) while did not modify those in obese and in Cushing's patients (14.5 +/- 5.3 and 13.3 +/- 11.1 x g/L, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
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-1108115409
07HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In controls, alprazolam pretreatment abolished the ACTH response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy controls, alprazolam wiped out the ACTH response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseAlprazolam effect on ACTH response to hexarelin in controls
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
In controls the HEX-induced ACTH response was abolished by ALP (peak: 8.6 +/- 2.4 vs 28.0 +/- 6.7 ng/L, p < 0.03) which, on the other hand, only blunted that in obese (peak: 12.7 +/- 2.1 vs 42.4 +/- 8.4 ng/L, p < 0.02) and did not modify that in Cushing's patients (205.6 +/- 55.4 vs 175.9 +/- 47.6 ng/L).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
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-1108115405
08HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In controls, alprazolam pretreatment blunted the GH response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy controls, alprazolam reduced the growth hormone response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseAlprazolam effect on GH response to hexarelin in controls
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
ALP blunted the GH response to HEX in controls (peak: 31.0 +/- 7.1 x g/L, p < 0.03) while did not modify those in obese and in Cushing's patients (14.5 +/- 5.3 and 13.3 +/- 11.1 x g/L, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
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-1108115408
09HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In obese patients, alprazolam pretreatment blunted the ACTH response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn people with obesity, alprazolam reduced the ACTH response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseAlprazolam effect on ACTH response to hexarelin in obese patients
Study
n = 9
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
In controls the HEX-induced ACTH response was abolished by ALP (peak: 8.6 +/- 2.4 vs 28.0 +/- 6.7 ng/L, p < 0.03) which, on the other hand, only blunted that in obese (peak: 12.7 +/- 2.1 vs 42.4 +/- 8.4 ng/L, p < 0.02) and did not modify that in Cushing's patients (205.6 +/- 55.4 vs 175.9 +/- 47.6 ng/L).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
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-1108115406
10HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In patients with Cushing's disease, alprazolam pretreatment did not modify the ACTH response to hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn people with Cushing's disease, alprazolam did not change the ACTH response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeAlprazolam effect on ACTH response to hexarelin in Cushing's disease
Study
n = 9
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
In controls the HEX-induced ACTH response was abolished by ALP (peak: 8.6 +/- 2.4 vs 28.0 +/- 6.7 ng/L, p < 0.03) which, on the other hand, only blunted that in obese (peak: 12.7 +/- 2.1 vs 42.4 +/- 8.4 ng/L, p < 0.02) and did not modify that in Cushing's patients (205.6 +/- 55.4 vs 175.9 +/- 47.6 ng/L).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To further clarify the endocrine activities of GHS, in 9 obese patients, 9 patients with Cushing's disease and 14 controls we studied the ACTH, F, GH and PRL responses to hexarelin (HEX, 2.0 micrograms/kg i.v.), a peptidyl GHS, alone and preceeded by alprazolam (ALP, 0.02 mg/kg p.o.), a benzodiazepine.
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-1108115407

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

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