Plasma adrenocorticotropin and cortisol responses to ovine corticotropin-releasing factor in patients with adrenocortical insufficiency due to hypothalamic and pituitary disorders.
Plasma ACTH and cortisol responses to intravenous injection of 100 micrograms synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) were studied in 4 patients with hypothalamic hypopituitarism, 2 patients with Sheehan's syndrome, 2 patients with isolated ACTH deficiency and 10 normal subjects. All 4 patients with hypothalamic hypopituitarism had exaggerated plasma ACTH responses to CRF compared to normal subjects and gradual but definite increases in plasma cortisol from low basal levels. Of 2 patients with Sheehan's syndrome, one had slight ACTH and cortisol increases after CRF injection, whereas the other had no increase in either. In 2 patients with isolated ACTH deficiency, plasma ACTH and cortisol remained undetectable (ACTH less than 10 pg/ml, cortisol less than 0.6 microgram/dl) after CRF injection. These results suggest that the CRF test is a useful tool in evaluating patients with secondary adrenocortical deficiency.
D000293:Adolescent; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D012756:Sheep
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone