title: Role of corticosteroids in the diurnal rhythm of blood pressure.
abstract: Blood pressure, a chronobiological parameter, shows a circadian rhythm which parallels the levels of hormones such as glucocorticoids and catecholamines. This rhythm is lost in excess states like Cushing's syndrome or phaeochromocytoma. We designed a double-blind crossover study to look at the role of physiological doses of glucocorticoids in the circadian rhythm of blood pressure. We found no change in the circadian rhythm when 30 mg hydrocortisone (20 + 10 mg versus 10 + 20 mg, a.m./p.m.) was administered.
authors.affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Department of Medicine, Western General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Jyothinagaram
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neary
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: McGinley
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Padfield
mesh_terms: D000224:Addison Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006854:Hydrocortisone