title: Corticotropin-independent effect of ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone on cortisol release in man.
abstract: The effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), independent of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), was evaluated in nine healthy individuals. Cortisol release and corresponding ACTH production were determined after separate intravenous administration of ovine-CRH (1 micrograms/kg BW) and insulin inducing hypoglycemia (0.1 u/kg BW). Adrenocorticotropin hormone (1-24; 250 micrograms intravenous bolus) revealed an adequate adrenal reserve capacity in all subjects. At the time of peak cortisol response following CRH and insulin administration, IR-cortisol increments were 14 +/- 1 micrograms/dl and 9 +/- 1 micrograms/dl (mean +/- SE), respectively (p less than .05); whereas ACTH (IR-ACTH) increments were 40 +/- 10 ng/l and 53 +/- 14 ng/l, respectively. The cortisol increment/ACTH increment ratios were 0.53 +/- 0.09 and 0/36 +/- 0.09, respectively (p less than 0.05), suggesting an ACTH-independent effect of CRH on cortisol production. The authors speculate that CRH may have a direct effect on the human adrenal gland or it may release ACTH-like factors that stimulate the human adrenal cortex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research and Medicine, University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02118.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Melby
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone