Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1990 Aug; 10(8): 467-9, 452.

[Change in serum growth hormone in aged men and effect of kidney-warming and yang-restoring drugs]

Chen JL, Cai HM.

Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology, Shanghai Second Medical University.

Basal and sleeping levels of serum growth hormone (GH) were measured in aged men and young men. GH levels after an intravenous bolus of growth hormone releasing hormone (1 microgram/kg) were also determined in healthy aged men with mild Kidney-Yang deficiency. The effect of Chinese herbs with Kidney-warming and Yang-restoring function was observed. The basal GH value in aged men was not significantly different when compared with young men, but the GH value during sleep evidently decreased (P less than 0.05). The response of GH to GRF was obviously decreased as compared with young people. The GH level following GRF stimulation was significantly different from that of young men. The Kidney-warming and Yang-restoring Chinese herbs could alleviate the symptoms of Kidney-Yang deficiency in aged men. The sleep value of GH and response of GH to GRF were increased after taking Chinese herbs. It suggested that the decrease of pituitary reserve might probably be the pathogenesis of Kidney deficiency. Together with the results of another animal experiments, the authors presumed that the Chinese herbs with Kidney-warming and Yang-restoring characteristics might effect through the increase of hypothalamic dopamine and the subsequent improvement of pituitary hormone reserve.