title: Somatomedin A levels in patients with Cushing's disease.
abstract: The serum levels of immunoreactive somatomedin A (SMA) in 23 patients with Cushing's disease, aged 6-61 years, were within the range of healthy subjects for their ages. No correlation was found between SMA and the excretion of cortisol. After im administration of hGH (8 IU = 4 mg) daily for 3 days there was a significant rise in SMA, both determined by radioimmunoassay and radioreceptor assay. Thus no impairment was found in the GH-dependent SMA levels or the ability of hGH to generate somatomedin, which indicates that the growth retarding effect of cortisol is most likely due to a direct effect on the tissue. After treatment with stereotactic radiation to the hypophysis there was a significant decrease in cortisol excretion without any change in SMA levels, indicating the possibility to achieve a selective impairment of the ACTH-cortisol axis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013002:Somatomedins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone