Evaluation of plasma ACTH stability using the Roche Elecsys immunoassay

ABSTRACT In order to determine if an adrenergic mechanism is involved in the secretion of corticotrophin (ACTH), the effect of adrenergic-blocking or -stimulating agent on plasma ACTH, cortisol and glucose levels was studied in normal human subjects. The intravenous infusion of methoxamine, an alpha adrenergic-stimulating agent, caused a rise in plasma ACTH and cortisol. This increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol was significantly inhibited by the simultaneous administration of phentolamine, an alpha adrenergic-blocking agent, in combination with methoxamine. The intravenous infusion of propranolol, a beta adrenergic-blocking agent, caused no significant change in plasma ACTH and cortisol, although it enhanced the plasma ACTH response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. On the other hand, alpha adrenergicblockade by intravenous infusion of phentolamine significantly suppressed the plasma ACTH response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. These studies suggest a stimulatory effect of alpha receptors and a possible inhibitory effect of beta receptors on ACTH secretion in man.

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SUPPRESSIBILITY OF PLASMA ACTH AND INTERMEDIARY STEROIDS IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA.

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.091s048 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 92 (2_Supplb) ◽

pp. S48-S56

Author(s):

J. Girard ◽

J.B. Baumann ◽

K. Zuppinger ◽

R. Zurbrügg

Keyword(s):

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽

Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽

Plasma Acth

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Short-term angiotensin II infusion does not alter plasma ACTH in man

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.107s113 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 104 (4_Supplb) ◽

pp. S113-S114

Author(s):

H. HALLER ◽

P. EXNER ◽

V. BÄHR ◽

W. OELKERS

Keyword(s):

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Plasma Acth ◽

Short Term

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Endocrine and Electrolyte Balances during Periovulatory Period in Cycling Mares

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020520 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 520 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katiuska Satué ◽

Esterina Fazio ◽

Ana Muñoz ◽

Pietro Medica

Keyword(s):

Estrous Cycle ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Competitive Elisa ◽

Direct Relation ◽

Plasma Acth ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽

Stimulation Of

In cycling females, the periovulatory period is characterized by stimulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The aim of present study was to analyze the pattern and interrelationships among adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol (CORT), aldosterone (ALD) and electrolytes (sodium—Na+, potassium—K+ and chloride—Cl−) during periovulatory period in cycling mares. Venous blood samples were obtained daily from a total of 23 Purebred Spanish broodmares, aged 7.09 ± 2.5 years, from day −5 to day +5 of estrous cycle, considering day 0, the day of ovulation. Plasma ACTH was measured by a fluorescent immunoassay kit, serum CORT and ALD by means of a competitive ELISA immunoassay, and plasma Na+, K+ and Cl− were quantified by an analyzer with selective electrodes for the three ions. ACTH showed higher concentrations at day 0 compared to days −5 to −1 and +1 to +3 (p < 0.05). CORT showed higher concentrations at day 0 compared to days −5 to −2 and +1 to +5 (p < 0.05). ALD showed higher concentrations at day 0 compared to days −5 to −2 (p < 0.05) and +2 (p < 0.05). Na+ and Cl− showed higher concentrations at day 0, compared to day −5 and +5. K+ showed lower concentrations at day 0 compared to day +1 (p < 0.05). The significant correlations obtained between ACTH and CORT (r = 0.20) and between ACTH and ALD (r = 0.32) suggest that although ACTH may have an effect both on CORT and ALD, there are other very important determinants that could be considered. Hence, it is possible to presume that the pituitary adrenocortical response and ALD may be involved in the ovulatory mechanisms without a direct relation with electrolyte pattern.

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Increased ACTH response to corticotropin-releasing factor in cold-adapted rats in vivo

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.1989.257.3.e336 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 257 (3) ◽

pp. E336-E339 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Uehara ◽

Y. Habara ◽

A. Kuroshima ◽

C. Sekiya ◽

Y. Takasugi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stress Responses ◽

Cold Adaptation ◽

Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽

Plasma Acth ◽

Cold Adapted ◽

Repeated Restraint Stress ◽

Cross Adaptation ◽

Freely Moving ◽

Increased Activity

We have recently reported that chronically repeated restraint stress results in improved cold tolerance in rats via an increased activity of nonshivering thermogenesis, a characteristic metabolic change observed during cold adaptation, suggesting the presence of cross-adaptation between cold and stress. It is well established that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated in various stress responses. In the present study, therefore, we examined whether cold adaptation would alter the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-releasing state in vivo using freely moving, conscious rats chronically implanted with intra-atrial cannulas. There was no difference in the basal levels of plasma ACTH between warm control and cold-adapted rats. On the other hand, the ACTH response to the intravenous administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF; 2 micrograms/animal) was significantly elevated in cold-adapted rats. However, the injection of 10 micrograms of CRF, which was considered as a dose to elicit the maximal ACTH response, resulted in similar ACTH release patterns between the two groups. These changes in the responsiveness of ACTH secretion have been observed in rats chronically exposed to stressful conditions. The results demonstrated in the present study, therefore, provide further evidence for our hypothesis that there may exist cross-adaptation between cold and nonthermal stress.

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Transient sex-related changes in the mice hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis during the acute phase of the inflammatory process

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/s0962935193000183 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 123-127 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

T. Daneva ◽

E. Spinedi ◽

R. Hadid ◽

M.-C. Jacquier ◽

M. Giacomini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Difference ◽

Acute Phase ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Plasma Levels ◽

Potential Role ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Male Mice ◽

Plasma Acth ◽

Endogenous Sex Hormones

The potential role of endogenous sex hormones in regulating hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function was investigated after a single injection of endotoxin in adult (8 week old) BALB/c mice of both sexes. The effect of LPS on plasma ACTH, corticosterone (B), testosterone and oestradiol (E) levels and on anterior pituitary (AP) ACTH and adrenal B contents at different times after treatment was studied. The results indicate that: (a) basal B but not ACTH plasma levels were significantly higher in female than in male mice; (b) LPS significantly increased both ACTH and B plasma levels over the baseline 2 h after injection, both hormone levels being higher in female than in male mice; (c) although plasma ACTH concentrations recovered the basal value at 72 h after LPS in animals of both sexes, plasma B levels returned to the baseline only at 120 h after treatment; (d) E plasma levels significantly increased 2 h after LPS and returned to the baseline at 72 h post-treatment, in both sexes; (e) at 2 h after LPS, testosterone plasma levels significantly decreased in male mice and increased in female mice, recovering the baseline level at 120 and 72 h after LPS, respectively; (f) AP ACTH content was similar in both sexes in basal condition and it was significantly diminished 72 h post-treatment without sex difference; whereas AP ACTH returned to basal content 120 h after LPS in males, it remained significantly decreased in females; (g) basal adrenal B content was higher in female than in male mice, and it significantly increased in both sexes 2 h post-LPS, maintaining this sex difference. Whereas adrenal B returned to basal content 72 h after treatment in male mice, it remained significantly enhanced up to 120 h post-LPS in female animals. The data demonstrate the existence of a clear sexual dimorphism in basal condition and during the acute phase response as well as in the recovery of the HPA axis function shortly after infection.

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Increases in Plasma ACTH and Cortisol after Hypertonic Saline Infusion in Patients with Central Diabetes Insipidus

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jcem.86.12.8073 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 86 (12) ◽

pp. 5749-5754 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eiji Itagaki ◽

Sachihiko Ozawa ◽

Shinya Yamaguchi ◽

Kenji Ushikawa ◽

Teruaki Tashiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Insipidus ◽

Hypertonic Saline ◽

Plasma Osmolality ◽

Central Diabetes Insipidus ◽

Portal System ◽

Plasma Acth ◽

Acth Secretion ◽

Acth Concentration ◽

Plasma Arginine ◽

Hypertonic Saline Infusion

To clarify the mechanism for the potentiation of CRH-induced ACTH response by the infusion of hypertonic saline, we investigated changes in plasma ACTH concentration after infusion of 5% hypertonic saline in five patients with untreated central diabetes insipidus (DI). Basal levels of plasma ACTH and cortisol in the DI group were not significantly different from those in normal control subjects. The infusion of hypertonic saline produced an increase in plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) in controls, but did not elevate ACTH. However, in patients with DI, the plasma AVP concentration did not change, but circulating ACTH increased 3.6-fold (7.7 ± 1.5 to 23.0 ± 2.7 pmol/liter; P < 0.01), and plasma cortisol also increased significantly (298 ± 99 to 538 ± 124 nmol/liter; P < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between plasma ACTH and osmolality (r = 0.72; P < 0.005). These results indicate that ACTH secretion in DI patients is regulated by a mechanism distinct from that in healthy subjects. It seems possible that the increase in plasma osmolality promotes ACTH secretion in DI patients through AVP and/or urocortin via the hypophyseal portal system, independent of the AVP secretion from magnocellular neurons.

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Adrenal and gonadal function in hypothyroid adult male rats

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1520147 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 152 (1) ◽

pp. 147-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

A Tohei ◽

M Akai ◽

T Tomabechi ◽

M Mamada ◽

K Taya

Keyword(s):

Adult Male ◽

Functional Relationship ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Gonadal Hormones ◽

Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽

Male Rats ◽

Plasma Acth ◽

Corticosterone Release ◽

Acth Release

Abstract The functional relationship between thyroid, adrenal and gonadal hormones was investigated using adult male rats. Hypothyroidism was produced by the administration of 4-methyl-2-thiouracil (thiouracil) in the drinking water for 2 weeks. Plasma concentrations of TSH dramatically increased, whereas plasma concentrations of tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine decreased in thiouracil-treated rats as compared with euthyroid rats. Hypothyroidism increased basal levels of plasma ACTH and pituitary content of ACTH. The pituitary responsiveness to CRH for ACTH release markedly increased, whereas the adrenal responsiveness to ACTH for corticosterone release decreased. These results indicated that hypothyroidism causes adrenal dysfunction in adult male rats. Pituitary contents of LH and prolactin decreased in hypothyroid rats as compared with euthyroid rats. In addition, hypothyroidism lowered pituitary LH responsiveness to LHRH. Testicular responsiveness to human chorionic gonadotrophin for testosterone release, however, was not different between euthyroid and hypothyroid animals. These results indicated that hypothyroidism causes adrenal dysfunction and results in hypersecretion of ACTH from the pituitary gland. Adrenal dysfunction may contribute to the inhibition of LHRH secretion from the hypothalamus, possibly mediated by excess CRH. Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 152, 147–154

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