title: Human corticotropin-releasing factor plus lysine vasopressin test during glucocorticoid therapy.
abstract: 1.0 micrograms/kg body wt human corticotropin-releasing factor (hCRF) and 0.005 IU/kg body wt lysine vasopressin (LVP) were administered in a bolus dose to patients receiving daily or alternate-day glucocorticoid therapy. In normal subjects with this hCRF-LVP test, the plasma ACTH increment was significantly greater (approximately 2.5-fold) 15 min after injection than under the CRF test. In patients receiving daily glucocorticoid therapy (greater than 15 mg prednisolone or an equivalent daily dose), the plasma ACTH and cortisol responses to hCRF-LVP were suppressed 2 wk to 1 mo after the beginning of glucocorticoid administration but partially improved at 2-10 mo, and was markedly suppressed several years later. On the other hand, in patients receiving alternate-day glucocorticoid therapy, the plasma ACTH response was normal at 2 wk, normal or higher at 1-3 mo, and normal after 4 mo. A normal plasma cortisol response was observed throughout the test period in patients receiving alternate-day therapy after pulse therapy, whereas plasma cortisol response was gradually improved in patients receiving alternate-day therapy after several months of daily therapy.
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suemaru
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takao
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugawara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hattori
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kageyama
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ota
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008236:Lypressin; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008236:Lypressin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone