γ-Amino-β-Hydroxy Butyric Acid Stimulates Prolactin and Growth Hormone Release in Normal Women*

Abstract

The influence of γ-amino-β-hydroxy butyric acid (GABOB) treatment on pituitary function has been investigated in this study. Different doses (50 or 100 mg) of GABOB were iv injected into three and six normal women, respectively. PRL and GH plasma levels were measured before and after the injection. The treatment with 150 mg GABOB, performed in another two normal women, was interrupted because of side-effects (loss of consciousness etc.) due to the treatment. The treatment with 50 mg GABOB did not induce significant variations of the two hormones; however, significant increases of PRL (P < 0.05) and GH (P < 0.01) plasma levels were observed after injection with 100 mg GABOB. The present data suggest that γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) itself or GABAergic drugs might play an important role in the control of hypothalamic-pituitary function.