Anti-adrenal action of a subanaesthetic dose of etomidate.
The effects of subanaesthetic doses of etomidate on corticosteroid synthesis have been studied in vivo. In the group of patients who received etomidate (n = 10), cortisol and aldosterone responses to adrenocorticotrophic hormone were blunted, while 11-de-oxycortisol response was increased, as compared to a control group (n = 10). These results suggest that a single bolus of 0.04 mg/kg etomidate, which produces sedation, without loss of consciousness, is able to block adrenal 11 hydroxylase.
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Valdecilla Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
M C
MC
Diago
J A
JA
Amado
M
M
Otero
J J
JJ
Lopez-Cordovilla
D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000097:blood*; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood*; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000097:blood*; D003366:Cosyntropin; D005045:Etomidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D003366:Cosyntropin; D000450:Aldosterone; D003350:Cortodoxone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D005045:Etomidate