Atrial natriuretic hormone decreases endocrine response to a combined dexamethasone-corticotropin-releasing hormone test.
BACKGROUND
An escape from the dexamethasone-induced suppression of pituitary-adrenocortical activity can be provoked by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in depressed patients, but not in healthy controls. One important antagonist of the CRH-stimulated secretion of corticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol is atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH).


METHODS
To study a potential role of ANH in the dexamethasone-CRH test, we investigated 7 healthy men who did not suppress cortisol below 40 ng/mL after they had received 0.5 mg dexamethasone the evening before.


RESULTS
We found 1) that the CRH-stimulated ACTH and cortisol secretion was significantly reduced by the administration of ANH in comparison to saline; and 2) that there was an increased pituitary-adrenocortical ratio.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the view that ANH may also be involved in the frequently observed nonsuppression after dexamethasone during depression. Biol Psychiatry.
Ströhle
A
A
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Institute, Munich, Germany.
Kellner
M
M
Holsboer
F
F
Wiedemann
K
K
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000187:drug effects*; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone