Effects of subcutaneous sumatriptan on plasma growth hormone concentrations in migraine patients

The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity of 5-HT1D receptors in migraine using sumatriptan as a pharmacological probe. The drug stimula tes the release of growth hormone (GH) and this effect may be used to explo re the function of cerebral serotonergic systems in vivo. We administered s umatriptan and placebo to 15 migraineurs and to 10 controls. Blood samples were collected -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min after injection. Placebo h ad no effect on hormone concentrations. Sumatriptan induced a significant ( P < 0.01) increase in GH concentrations both in migraine patients and healt hy controls. The GH increase was not significantly different in the two gro ups. Our results suggest that cerebral serotonergic functions mediated by 5 -HT1D receptors are not altered in migraine. Sumatriptan overuse could lead to adverse effects mediated by its neuroendocrine activity.