Hormonal changes during a spontaneous attack of hypokalemic periodic paralysis.
We studied the hormonal changes during a spontaneous attack of hypokalemic periodic paralysis in a 20-year-old man, before and after treatment with potassium chloride. During paralysis, we observed high circulating levels of insulin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, growth hormone, ACTH and cortisol, most likely reflecting a condition of stress. Normalization of all these hormones occurred with recovery. Plasma aldosterone concentrations were normal. The increased plasma levels of insulin, but also of catecholamines and growth hormone, created a condition promoting potassium uptake in muscle cells. We suggest that stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of the paralytic attacks in this disorder.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D010507:Periodicity
D002395:Catecholamines; D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone