Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-glandular axes and relation to Child-Pugh classification in male patients with alcoholic and virus-related cirrhosis

Abstract

In cirrhotics, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -gonadal axes and prolactin secretion are impaired. Growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is accelerated in cirrhotics. Thus, elevated basal and stimulated levels of growth hormone probably reflect compensation for low levels of IGF-1, which are associated with deteriorating liver function. The aetiology of cirrhosis was found to have no influence on the degree of alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-glandular axes.