Adrenocortical and somatotrophic secretions in acute and chronic respiratory insufficiency.
Adrenocortical function and plasma growth hormone pattern were investigated in 15 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, in a period of acute respiratory failure and again after recovery. During the acute period, secretion rate and plasma concentrations of cortisol were markedly enhanced; urinary excretion of cortisol metabolites was only slightly increased, suggesting an alteration of the catabolism of cortisol under these conditions; adrenocortical sensitivity to corticotropin and capacity of maximal adrenal secretion were normal. The increase of cortisol secretion was probably due to hypoxemia and/or hypercapnia acting through the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. During the chronic phase of respiratory insufficiency, adrenocortical secretion and responsiveness were within the normal range. Finally, respiratory failure did not stimulate the secretion of growth hormone.
D015068:17-Ketosteroids / Q000652:urine; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006914:Hydroxysteroids / Q000652:urine; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000652:urine; D012636:Secretory Rate
D015068:17-Ketosteroids; D006914:Hydroxysteroids; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D013006:Growth Hormone; D010100:Oxygen; D006854:Hydrocortisone