Erythrocyte insulin receptors and insulin sensitivity in adrenocortical insufficiency. Report of a case of diabetes mellitus type I with superimposed Addison's disease.
Studies on erythrocyte insulin receptors were performed in a boy with type I diabetes mellitus and superimposed adrenocortical insufficiency before and during treatment with hydrocortisone and 9-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone. The development of the adrenal insufficiency was associated with a progressively increased sensitivity to insulin which reverted after therapy. The maximum specific insulin binding of the erythrocytes was low during threatening addisonian crisis (6.9%) but normalized during hydrocortisone treatment (12.0%). These findings suggest that the increased insulin sensitivity characteristic for adrenocortical insufficiency is not an effect of an increased insulin receptor concentration and that hypocortisolaemia is associated with a down-regulation of the insulin receptors.
D000224:Addison Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005438:Fludrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*
D007328:Insulin; D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D005438:Fludrocortisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone