BARRY BERCU, MD
Medical Practice at Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL

5065748, Nov 19, 1991

Nov 14, 1989

7/437041

Barry B. Bercu - Tampa FL

University of South Florida - Tampa FL

A61B 500

128630

A patient thought to have a hypoactive pituitary or a pituitary that secretes a normal amount of growth hormone in abnormal patterns is given an intravenous bolus of somatostatin at the beginning of a test period. The bolus is followed by an infusion of somatostatin for a two hour period. The infusion is terminated and an intravenous bolus of growth hormone releasing hormone is then administered. The test is performed during the patient's waking hours and a blood sample is taken every twenty minutes to monitor the amount of growth hormone in the patient's bloodstream. The patient is diagnosed based upon the amount of growth hormone released during the treatment, and the rebound rate of growth hormone secretion after suppression. The somatostatin part of the procedure also has utility in connection with the diagnosis of differing types of gigantism and acromegaly.

5811074, Sep 22, 1998

Sep 30, 1996

8/722294

Barry B. Bercu - Tampa FL
Richard F. Walker - Indian Rocks Beach FL

University of South Florida - Tampa FL

G01N 3350, A61K 3804, A61K 3825

424 91

A diagnostic protocol and kit for evaluating pituitary growth hormone (GH) secretory capability as a means to identify the etiology of GH deficiency in children and adults is disclosed. The inventive protocol includes measuring GH secretion, provoked by independent, sequential administration of the xenobiotic GH releasing hexapeptide (GHRP-6) or any of its peptidyl or non-peptidyl synthetic analogues (GHRX) that release GH by the same cellular mechanism as GHRP-6 followed by the naturally occurring GH releasing hormone or its analogues (GHRH) to children and adults afflicted with disorders related to GH deficiency. After evaluating the effects of independent, sequential administration of the GH secretagogues upon changes in blood GH concentrations, the effect of the co-administered GH secretagogues on blood GH concentrations in the child or adult subject is then measured.

4844096, Jul 4, 1989

Mar 29, 1988

7/174578

Barry B. Bercu - Tampa FL

University of South Florida - Tampa FL

A61B 500

128630

A diagnostic method whereby the sensitivity of inhibition of nocturnal growth hormone secretion by a growth hormone inhibiting factor is tested. The inhibiting factor or hormone, somatostatin is introduced into the bloodstream of sleeping children with classical GH deficiency, growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction, and related disorders. The degree of suppression of the growth hormone secretion is studied to diagnose each child's condition preparatory to beginning a treatment program.

5065747, Nov 19, 1991

Nov 21, 1989

7/439407

Barry B. Bercu - Tampa FL

University of South Florida - Tampa FL

A61B 500

128630

Somatostatin, a growth hormone suppressant, is administered to an individual before the growth hormone secretion of that individual is provoked. The somatostatin is applied first in bolus form and the bolus administration is followed by a prolonged adminstration of the somatostatin. Both the bolus and the subsequent adminstration of growth hormone suppressant can be administered intravenously. This procedure insures that the growth hormone secretion of the individual's pituitary gland will be reduced to a minimum, thereby insuring that the results of subsequent provocative tests will be standardized and thus interpreted more consistently.

5246920, Sep 21, 1993

Jun 15, 1992

7/898523

Barry B. Bercu - Tampa FL
Richard F. Walker - Indian Rocks FL

University of South Florida - Tampa FL

A61K 3702, A61K 3724

514 12

A method for the treatment of hypersecretion of prolactin in a patient which comprises co-administration of an effective amount of a growth hormone releasing compound and GHRP-6 or an analog thereof.