Growth hormone release by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and gamma-amino-.BETA.-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB) in the rat.

Abstract

Effects of GABA and .gamma.-amino-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB) on growth hormone (GH) release were investigated in the urethane-anesthetized male rat. An intraventricular injection of GABA and L-GABOB but not D-GABOB caused a significant increase in plasma GH. An i.v. injection of L-GABOB, at the dose which had no significant effect on basal plasma GH, remarkably enhanced plasma GH response to pentobarbital. GABA and L-GABOB stimulate GH release possibly via the CNS in the rat.