Growth Hormone, Vasopressin, Cortisol, and Catecholamine Responses to Insulin Hypoglycemia in Alcoholics

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Abstract
The hormonal responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia were studied in 15 abstinent alcoholics with varying degrees of central and peripheral nerve damage and in 6 normal controls. Blood samples were taken at intervals after the injection of soluble insulin (0.1 U/kg body wt). Growth hormone responses were significantly depressed (P < 0.05) in 9 alcoholics with severe central nerve damage (Korsakoff''s psychosis) as compared to other alcoholic subjects. The alcoholic subjects with Korsakoff''s psychosis also showed significant depression (P < 0.01) of glucose recovery from hypoglycemia as compared with controls. Responses of vasopressin, cortisol and catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) were generally normal in the Korsakoff patients. Apparently, impairment of memory in alcoholism is not related to altered vasopressin secretion, even though the reduced growth hormone secretion in brain-damaged alcoholics does indicate some hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction.