Twice-weekly administration of kisspeptin-54 for 8 weeks stimulates release of reproductive hormones in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Dec;88(6):840-7. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2010.204. Epub 2010 Oct 27.

Abstract

Kisspeptin is a novel therapeutic target for infertility. A single kisspeptin-54 (KP-54) injection acutely stimulates the release of reproductive hormones in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), a commonly occurring condition characterized by absence of menstruation; however, twice-daily administration of KP-54 results in tachyphylaxis. We determined the time course of desensitization to twice-daily KP-54 injections, compared the effects of twice-daily and twice-weekly administration regimens of KP-54, and studied the effects of long-term twice-weekly administration of KP-54 on the release of reproductive hormones in women with HA. When KP-54 was administered twice daily, responsiveness to luteinizing hormone (LH) diminished gradually, whereas responsiveness to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was nearly abolished by day 2. Twice-weekly KP-54 administration resulted in only partial desensitization, in contrast to the complete tolerance achieved with twice-daily administration. Women with HA who were treated with twice-weekly KP-54 injections had significantly elevated levels of reproductive hormones after 8 weeks as compared with treatment with saline. No adverse effects were observed. This study provides novel pharmacological data on the effects of KP-54 on the release of reproductive hormones in women with HA.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amenorrhea / blood*
  • Amenorrhea / drug therapy
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Estradiol / blood*
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood*
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism*
  • Kisspeptins
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood*
  • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism
  • Pilot Projects
  • Reproduction / drug effects
  • Reproduction / physiology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • KISS1 protein, human
  • Kisspeptins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Estradiol
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone