ORAL-ADMINISTRATION OF ARGININE ENHANCES THE GROWTH-HORMONE RESPONSE TO GROWTH-HORMONE RELEASING HORMONE IN SHORT CHILDREN

We have evaluated the effect of oral administration of arginine chlorh ydrate on the growth hormone response to growth ho one releasing ho on e in a group of nine short prepubertal children (six boys) and four gi rls). Arginine chlorhydrate 10 g, administered orally 60 min before an iv bolus injection of growth hormone releasing hormone 1-29, 1 mug/kg , significantly enhanced the growth hormone response to the neuropepti de, confirming the results of previous studies which used the iv route . Furthermore, our data strengthen the view that the effects of argini ne chlorhydrate on growth hormone secretion are mediated by inhibition of endogenous somatostatin release.