Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced GH release
after cocaine withdrawal in cocaine addicts

by
Vescovi PP, Pezzarossa A.
Center of Alcohology,
University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
[email protected]
Neuropeptides. 1999 Dec;33(6):522-5


ABSTRACT

During cocaine addiction the hypothalamus-pituitary axis is widely affected and a blunted response of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) consistent with a hyperthyroid state has been observed. Since the thyroid status can affect the release of growth hormone (GH) the authors evaluated TSH and GH responses to TRH in cocaine addicts at the time of drug withdrawal and 30 days after. Twenty-six male cocaine addicts and 11 healthy male control subjects agreed to participate in the study. TRH and placebo tests were performed at random at 5 day intervals at the time of drug withdrawal and after 30 days. In drug addicts, at the time of the first test basal plasma levels of freeT3, freeT4 and TSH were normal, but the TSH response to TRH was impaired. After 30 days of cocaine abstinence basal freeT4 plasma levels were significantly lower, and TSH levels and the TSH response to TRH were higher than in the first test. At the first examination, basal GH concentrations were similar in cocaine addicts and in control subjects and GH did not respond to TRH. After 30 days of abstinence, basal GH plasma levels were unmodified, but the TRH became stimulatory of GH release in cocaine-deprived, but not in control subjects. In conclusion, in cocaine addicts, drug withdrawal is associated with a condition of subclinical hypothyroidism that makes the GH-releasing machinery sensitive to TRH.


Supercoke
Ketoconazole
Dopaminergic flies?
Dopaminergic agents
GBR12909 and the rat
Cocaine immunization
The coke-craving brain
Cocaine and the lonely rat
Monoamines, cocaine and rats
Freebasing flies go hyperkinetic

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24


Refs
HOME
HedWeb
cannabis-marijuana.com
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
Wirehead Hedonism
Paradise-Engineering
Utopian Pharmacology
The Hedonistic Imperative
When Is It Best to Take Crack Cocaine?

swan image
The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide To
Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family