In:
Acta Endocrinologica, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 91, No. 2 ( 1979-06), p. 319-328
Abstract:
Plasma cortisol profiles were studied by the frequent sampling method in 5 patients with Cushing's disease (CD), 7 patients with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical adenoma (AA), and one patient with bronchogenic carcinoma. Plasma ACTH was measured by radioimmunoassay at 10 min intervals in 2 of the subjects. In CD, there was distinct episodic secretion of cortisol and ACTH; the coefficients of variation about the mean plasma cortisol concentration ranged from 24 to 27 %; plasma ACTH ranged from zero to 455 pg/ml with a mean of 94 pg/ml. In AA, the tumour secreted cortisol at a constant rate with little fluctuation; the coefficients of variation of plasma cortisol concentration ranged from 8 to 14%; plasma concentrations of ACTH were always near zero. In the patient with bronchogenic carcinoma, the coefficient of variation of cortisol was 14 %. These results were apparent even in profiles of plasma cortisol concentrations measured over only a 6 h period. It is concluded that characteristics of plasma cortisol and ACTH secretory patterns are helpful in differentiating Cushing's syndrome of differing aetiology.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0804-4643
,
1479-683X
DOI:
10.1530/acta.0.0910319
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
1979
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1183856-5
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1485160-X
Permalink