Inhibition of L-dopa induced growth hormone release in normal and diabetic subjects by glucose administration

Administration of L-dopa 1 g induced an increase of plasma growth hormone (GH) levels in seven of ten healthy volunteers and in six of ten hyperglycemic insulin-dependent diabetic subjects; the maximal GH response was higher in normal subjects. Addition of 100 g glucose orally to the L-dopa completely abolished the GH response of both groups. The difference between the effect of endogenous hyperglycemia and the effect of a sudden increase of blood sugar after glucose administration on L-dopa induced GH release in diabetic subjects may be explain by the resetting of the hypothalamic control for pituitary GH release to higher levels of blood glucose.