title: Pituitary-adrenal axis function in sickle cell anemia and its relationship to leukocyte alkaline phosphatase.
abstract: The function of the pituitary-adrenal axis and leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity were evaluated in eight patients with sickle cell disease during a painful crisis and when crisis-free. The leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) score did not increase during crisis; the scores were in the low-normal range during crisis and noncrisis periods. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia produced normal growth hormone responses during both crisis and crisis-free periods. Plasma cortisol concentrations were diminished in the crisis group. Also impaired was 11-deoxycortisol production in both groups after metyrapone. These findings indicate that a mild defect in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis exists in sickle cell disease patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D003350:Cortodoxone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008797:Metyrapone