title: Effect of endothelin-1 in man: impact on basal and adrenocorticotropin-stimulated concentrations of aldosterone.
abstract: The effect of exogenous endothelin-1 [2 pmol (5 ng)/kg.min for 15 min, followed by 1 pmol (2.5 ng)/kg.min for 105 min] on basal and ACTH (250 micrograms, i.v.)-stimulated plasma concentrations of aldosterone, cortisol, testosterone, corticosterone, and 18-hydroxycorticosterone was investigated in a group of healthy male volunteers (n = 6). Plasma concentrations of aldosterone remained unchanged during a placebo experiment (i.e. in the absence of both exogenous ACTH and of endothelin-1). In the absence of exogenous ACTH, the i.v. administration of endothelin-1 did not influence plasma concentrations of aldosterone. The i.v. administration of 0.25 mg ACTH induced a rise in plasma concentrations of aldosterone from a basal value of 152.6 +/- 38.8 to 362.6 +/- 77.7 pmol/L. This ACTH-induced rise was markedly augmented (P < 0.01) by the concomitant administration of endothelin-1, when peak plasma concentrations of aldosterone of 632.5 +/- 230.2 pmol/L were observed. Basal and ACTH-stimulated concentrations of cortisol, corticosterone, and 18-hydroxycorticosterone were unchanged by the concomitant infusion of endothelin-1. Thus, exogenous endothelin-1 influences adrenal function in healthy men by selectively augmenting the ACTH-induced secretion of aldosterone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vierhapper
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nowotny
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Waldhäusl
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D016232:Endothelins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D000450:Aldosterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone