Eur J Endocrinol
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1400051
European Journal of Endocrinology, Vol 140, Issue 1, 51-55
Copyright © 1999 by European Society of Endocrinology
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Darmon, P
Right arrow Articles by Grino, M
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Darmon, P
Right arrow Articles by Grino, M
Articles

On the meaning of low-dose ACTH(1-24) tests to assess functionality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

P Darmon, F Dadoun, C Frachebois, JG Velut, S Boullu, A Dutour, C Oliver, and M Grino

Service d'Endocrinologie, Maladies Metaboliques et de la Nutrition, Hopital Nord, Chemin des Bourrelly, Marseille, France.

To analyse further the ACTH(1-24) low-dose test, which is of clinical interest, we have examined the dose-response relationship between plasma ACTH(1-24) and cortisol concentrations after i.v. administration of increasing doses (1, 5 or 250 microg) of ACTH(1-24) as a bolus. In addition, we have measured plasma ACTH(1-39) and cortisol levels after an insulin tolerance test (ITT). Although there was a dose response relationship between plasma ACTH(1-24) immunoreactivity and the dose injected, cortisol peaks were comparable, but lower than those reached after an ITT. Under these experimental conditions, an increase in plasma ACTH as low as 13 pmol/l (i.e. the increase obtained with the 1 microg dose) induced a near maximal cortisol response. Following injection of 1 microg ACTH(1-24), peak ACTH values were short lasting, similar to physiological daily bursts. After injection of 5 microg ACTH(1-24), plasma ACTH concentrations were higher than those reached during an ITT, but clearly shorter lasting. Injection of 250 microg ACTH(1-24) induced strikingly supraphysiological levels of plasma ACTH. We conclude that neither regular nor low-dose ACTH tests can fully reproduce the ITT. Our observations strongly suggest that the low-dose ACTH(1-24) test (1 microg) can be useful to estimate the adrenal sensitivity under basal, physiological conditions.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 The Annals of PharmacotherapyHome page
E. F Kozyra, R. S Wax, and L. D Burry
Can 1 {micro}g of Cosyntropin Be Used to Evaluate Adrenal Insufficiency in Critically Ill Patients?
Ann. Pharmacother., April 1, 2005; 39(4): 691 - 698.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 The Annals of PharmacotherapyHome page
L. D Burry and R. S Wax
Role of Corticosteroids in Septic Shock
Ann. Pharmacother., March 1, 2004; 38(3): 464 - 472.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
C. W. WILKINSON, E. C. PETRIE, S. R. MURRAY, E. A. COLASURDO, M. A. RASKIND, and E. R. PESKIND
Human Glucocorticoid Feedback Inhibition Is Reduced in Older Individuals: Evening Study
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2001; 86(2): 545 - 550.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1999 European Society of Endocrinology.