The role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of growth hormone secretion Mechanisms and clinical significance

Glucocorticoids are well known to inhibit growth and GH secretion in humans and animals, yet in vitro these steroids stimulate GH synthesis and secretion. These opposite actions appear to be mediated at different sites. The inhibition involves modulation of hypothalamic somatostatin and the stimulation involves direct actions on the pituitary. Current evidence suggests that the predominant action in vivo is through the inhibitory influences of somatostatin.