Changes in plasma growth hormone levels in normal and acromegalic subjects following administration of 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine.

2-Bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154), AN ERGOT ALKALOID THAT STIMulates dopaminergic receptors, caused a widely varying, but significant increase in plasma GH levels in normal subject whereas a marked and protractedfall in values was observed in some patients with acromegaly. It is suggested that these effects were mediated by activation of either hypothalamic or hypophyseal dopaminergic receptors. The fact that GH values fell to or near normal levels in 4/8 cases suggests that CB-154 may have therapeutic possibilities in acromegaly.