title: [Study of the glucocorticoid function of the adrenals in patients with diabetes mellitus using a minor dexamethasone test].
abstract: The purpose of the paper is to define the state of glucocorticoid function in 37 male and female patients with types I and II diabetes mellitus of various degree of compensation before and after dexamethasone blockade of the hypothalamohypophyseoadrenal system (0.5 mg 4 times for 2 days). The level of cortisol in the plasma was determined by a radioimmunoassay using Sorin kits. Statistical data processing was performed using the d-3-28 computer. In patients with types I and II diabetes mellitus at the stage of compensation the level of plasma cortisol did not differ from that of persons without diabetes mellitus; in decompensation of types I and II diabetes mellitus its considerable increase was noted. After the dexamethasone test the more pronounced was a degree of decompensation of diabetes mellitus, the higher was the level of cortisol, i.e. there was resistance to dexamethasone inhibiting action, especially in type I which could be accounted for by deeper metabolic derangements in this type of diabetes mellitus and an increase in the threshold of sensitivity of the hypothalamic centers to dexamethasone. Therefore the minor dexamethasone test could be used for determination of a degree of metabolic compensation of patients with diabetes mellitus.
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000304:Adrenal Cortex Function Tests; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
vernacular_title: Issledovanie gliukokortikoidnoĭ funktsii nadpochechnikov u bol'nykh sakharnym diabetom s pomoshch'iu malogo deksametazonovogo testa.