Effect of very low LDL-cholesterol on cortisol synthesis.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality around the world. The relationship between coronary artery disease and serum LDL-cholesterol levels has become obvious in recent years and statin treatment has been used more commonly. However, influence of intensive statin treatment on steroidal hormonal functions has remained unclear. In this paper, we evaluated the effect of very low LDL levels (<70 mg/dl) on serum cortisol concentrations, which is mainly synthesized from cholesterol.


METHODS
Forty-one patients with serum LDL-cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dl were included in the study. The control group consisted of 38 healthy people. Adrenal axis was evaluated by means of cortisol response to 1 microg ACTH test.


RESULTS
The mean age of patients was 52.45+/-10.74 yr. Of 41 patients, 19 (46.9%) were female. There were statistically significant differences between the study and control group according to their serum cholesterol and LDL levels. Main serum LDL levels were 58+/-11.4 mg/dl and 131+/-25.8 mg/dl in the study and control group, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in response to 1 microg ACTH stimulation test at basal, 30 min and 60 min among both study and control group. Atorvastatin treatment was generally well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data reflect that having serum LDL-cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dl did not affect the adrenal axis function in terms of cortisol.
Sezer
K
K
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Mersin University, School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. keremsezer@mersin.edu.tr
Emral
R
R
Corapcioglu
D
D
Gen
R
R
Akbay
E
E
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010912:Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D006854:Hydrocortisone