Exaggerated response of adrenocorticotropic hormone to growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 test in Cushing's disease. Case report.
Sakihara. Satoru S; Kageyama. Kazunori K; Matsumoto. Atsufumi A; Ikeda. Hidetoshi H; Tsushima. Yuko Y; Naraoka. Maki M; Terui. Ken K; Nigawara. Takeshi T; Suda. Toshihiro T
Key Findings
- s disease patient, a 100âŻÂ”g dose of GHRPâ2 raised ACTH from 66âŻpg/mL to 2,490âŻpg/mL (â38âfold).",
- ,
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers using GHRPâ2, be aware that the peptide can sharply increase ACTH and potentially cortisol, especially if thereâs an underlying pituitary abnormality. While the study isnât about healthy performance enhancement, it suggests monitoring stressâhormone levels if you notice unusual side effects. The finding is mainly a diagnostic insight rather than a new protocol for longevity or performance.
Summary
The report describes a single patient with Cushing's disease whose ACTH levels shot up dramatically after a standard GHRPâ2 test. The tumor had the GHRPâ2 receptor, suggesting the peptide can directly boost ACTH in certain pituitary tumors. For most people this isnât a therapeutic finding, but it shows that GHRPâ2 can strongly affect the stressâhormone axis.
Abstract
A 47-year-old woman presented with a pituitary microadenoma manifesting as typical Cushing's syndrome. The diagnosis was Cushing's disease based on the endocrinological findings. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were greatly increased from 66 pg/ml to 2490 pg/ml (about 38-fold) in response to the administration of 100 microg human growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)-2. GHRP receptor type 1a messenger ribonucleic acid was detected in the tumor. Therefore, GHRP-2 may stimulate ACTH via the GHRP receptor type 1a in pituitary ACTH-producing tumor. The GHRP-2 test, currently clinically available in Japan, may be a useful diagnostic tool for Cushing's disease.
Study Information
pubmed
2009
10.2176/nmc.49.365