title: Parallel assays of beta-endorphin and ACTH in Cushing's patients undergoing petrosal sinus sampling.
abstract: This study explores the possibility of improving endocrinologic testing during petrosal sinus catheterization by determining both beta-endorphin and corticotropin (ACTH). We studied 14 patients with Cushing's disease, two with adrenal tumor, and three with ectopic tumors secreting ACTH. In patients with Cushing's disease, beta-endorphin concentrations paralleled those of ACTH in all basal plasma samples collected either from petrosal sinuses or peripheral veins. Individual responses of beta-endorphin and ACTH to corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) were closely related to the presence of a corticotroph adenoma. In such patients, a consistently higher concentration of beta-endorphin over ACTH was observed in all samples collected either from petrosal sinuses or peripheral veins; the ratios were unchanged after the administration of CRH. In patients with ectopic ACTH secretion, the mean ratio of beta-endorphin over ACTH (with both values expressed in pmol/L) was significantly higher (3.5) than that of patients with Cushing's disease (2.9) or Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal tumor (2.7).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sgoutas
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sgoutas
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D002404:Catheterization; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D003392:Cranial Sinuses / Q000737:chemistry*; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone