title: Circulating levels of corticotrophin and cortisol after infusions of L-DOPA, dopamine and noradrenaline, in man.
abstract: Intravenous infusions of noradrenaline and dopamine in normal saline, and L-dopa in sodium lactate, were given to seven patients with Parkinsonism, and to five healthy volunteers. Infusions of saline and lactate were given, in a similar manner, to six additional healthy volunteers, who formed a control group. Dopamine and noradrenaline were each given in gradually increasing doses, for periods of 4 min, until a 30% increase in systolic blood pressure had occurred. L-Dopa (320 mg) was given a constant rate of infusion over 80 min. Plasma fluorogenic corticosteroids (cortisol) increased with dopamine , and decreased with noradrenaline. These changes were significantly different from the control group in the case of noradrenaline only. ACTH values changed in a similar manner. L-Dopa produced a consistent rise in both ACTH and cortisol that was significantly different from control subjects. The implications of these observations are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002404:Catheterization; D003366:Cosyntropin; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007328:Insulin; D007773:Lactates; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D007773:Lactates; D003366:Cosyntropin; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D007980:Levodopa; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine