Simultaneous Measurement of Cortisol in Serum and Saliva After Different Forms of Cortisol Administration

1992 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1491-1494 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Tunn ◽  
H Möllmann ◽  
J Barth ◽  
H Derendorf ◽  
M Krieg

Abstract To prove the clinical usefulness of cortisol measurements in saliva for the exact assessment of a patient's corticoid status under therapeutic hormone substitution, we measured simultaneously total cortisol in serum and non-protein-bound cortisol in saliva after administration of different forms of hydrocortisone (cortisol) in eight cortisol-suppressed, healthy male volunteers. The intravenous and oral administration of 20 mg of cortisol exceeds the binding capacity of the corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), leading to an increase of the ratio between salivary and serum cortisol at the higher cortisol concentrations in blood. After rectal administration of 100 mg of cortisol acetate, the serum cortisol concentration does not exceed the binding capacity of CBG, so the ratio between salivary and serum cortisol remains nearly constant. However, this ratio was higher after rectal administration than after intravenous and oral administration, probably because of weaker binding of the acetate form of cortisol to CBG. Thus, the salivary measurement of the non-protein-bound (i.e., biologically active) cortisol offers a convenient way to monitor the effectiveness of various forms of systemic corticoid substitution.

2013 ◽  
Vol 219 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele E Mattos ◽  
Jan-Michael Heinzmann ◽  
Stefanie Norkowski ◽  
Jean-Christophe Helbling ◽  
Amandine M Minni ◽  
...  

Increasing evidence indicates an important role of steroid-binding proteins in endocrine functions, including hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity and regulation, as they influence bioavailability, local delivery, and cellular signal transduction of steroid hormones. In the plasma, glucocorticoids (GCs) are mainly bound to the corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and to a lesser extend to albumin. Plasma CBG levels are therefore involved in the adaptive stress response, as they determine the concentration of free, biologically active GCs. In this study, we investigated whether male mice with a genetic predisposition for high-reactivity (HR), intermediate-reactivity (IR), or low-reactivity (LR) stress-induced corticosterone (CORT) secretion present different levels of free CORT and CORT-binding proteins, basally and in response to stressors of different intensity. Our results suggest a fine control interaction between plasma CBG expression and stress-induced CORT release. Although plasma CBG levels, and therefore CBG binding capacity, were higher in HR animals, CORT secretion overloaded the CBG buffering function in response to stressors, resulting in clearly higher free CORT levels in HR compared with IR and LR mice (HR>IR>LR), resembling the pattern of total CORT increase in all three lines. Both stressors, restraint or forced swimming, did not evoke fast CBG release from the liver into the bloodstream and therefore CBG binding capacity was not altered in our three mouse lines. Thus, we confirm CBG functions in maintaining a dynamic equilibrium between CBG-bound and unbound CORT, but could not verify its role in delaying the rise of plasma free CORT immediately after stress exposure.


2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-608
Author(s):  
I. Perogamvros ◽  
C. Underhill ◽  
D. E. Henley ◽  
K. D. Hadfield ◽  
W. G. Newman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is the principal carrier for glucocorticoids in the circulation and a regulator of their bioavailability. Inherited CBG deficiencies are rarely reported, and only three causative mutations in four families have been described. Patients, Methods, and Results: In a 26-yr-old female with hypotension, fatigue, and undetectable serum cortisol at presentation, we have identified a novel homozygous c.776g>t transversion in exon 3 of the CBG (SERPINA6) gene. This results in a p.Gly237Val substitution that is predicted to influence the positioning of two β-sheets that constitute part of the CBG steroid-binding site. Two siblings were also homozygous for the variant, whereas her mother and an unaffected sibling were heterozygous. No other symptomatic family members were identified apart from the proband. Individuals homozygous for the variant had serum CBG levels below the reference range when measured by RIA, but CBG was unmeasurable in cortisol-binding capacity assays. In the same individuals, we observed very low baseline and stimulated serum cortisol levels but normal free serum and salivary cortisol and plasma ACTH. In a study of ultradian cortisol pulsatility, increased pulse frequency was only observed in the proband. Conclusion: We describe a novel CBG variant that lacks steroid binding. All mutant homozygotes have very low serum cortisol, but normal free cortisol levels. The only biochemical feature to distinguish the symptomatic subject was increased cortisol pulsatility, and we suggest that this may influence glucocorticoid signaling and contribute to symptoms previously associated with CBG deficiency.


1972 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 517-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Uozumi ◽  
H. Manabe ◽  
Y. Kawashima ◽  
Y. Hamanaka ◽  
Y. Monden ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The response of plasma cortisol, corticosterone and non-protein-bound cortisol in the extracorporeal circulation was investigated in 14 patients. The pre-perfusion levels of plasma cortisol, corticosterone and non-protein-bound cortisol were significantly elevated. During and immediately after perfusion, the levels of cortisol and corticosterone were found to decrease significantly from the pre-perfusion levels, while the percentage of non-protein-bound cortisol was shown to increase significantly. This indicates a marked decrease in cortisol binding capacity of plasma during extracorporeal circulation. Moreover in 200 plasma samples, it was demonstrated that the cortisol level increased markedly and the cortisol binding capacity decreased slightly during and shortly after major surgery without perfusion. It is concluded that stressful situations in major surgery with or without perfusion are associated with markedly increased levels of biologically active non-protein-bound cortisol. The elevated level of non-protein-bound cortisol in surgery seems to be dependent on the increase in the level of plasma cortisol as well as on the decrease in the cortisol binding capacity of plasma. Although the increased plasma cortisol plays the most important role in surgery with no perfusion, the decreased cortisol binding capacity may be the more effective factor involved during perfusion.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4409
Author(s):  
Jinjoo Kang ◽  
Soyoung Lee ◽  
Namkyung Kim ◽  
Hima Dhakal ◽  
Taeg-Kyu Kwon ◽  
...  

The extracts of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (Schisandraceae) have various therapeutic effects, including inflammation and allergy. In this study, gomisin M2 (GM2) was isolated from S. chinensis and its beneficial effects were assessed against atopic dermatitis (AD). We evaluated the therapeutic effects of GM2 on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and Dermatophagoides farinae extract (DFE)-induced AD-like skin lesions with BALB/c mice ears and within the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated keratinocytes. The oral administration of GM2 resulted in reduced epidermal and dermal thickness, infiltration of tissue eosinophils, mast cells, and helper T cells in AD-like lesions. GM2 suppressed the expression of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12a, and TSLP in ear tissue and the expression of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A in auricular lymph nodes. GM2 also inhibited STAT1 and NF-κB phosphorylation in DNCB/DFE-induced AD-like lesions. The oral administration of GM2 reduced levels of IgE (DFE-specific and total) and IgG2a in the mice sera, as well as protein levels of IL-4, IL-6, and TSLP in ear tissues. In TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated keratinocytes, GM2 significantly inhibited IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL8, and CCL22 through the suppression of STAT1 phosphorylation and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Taken together, these results indicate that GM2 is a biologically active compound that exhibits inhibitory effects on skin inflammation and suggests that GM2 might serve as a remedy in inflammatory skin diseases, specifically on AD.


1980 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Jean Wickings ◽  
E. Nieschlag

Abstract. Adult male rhesus monkeys are aggressive animals and very difficult to handle. Hence experimental manipulations necessarily involve the use of restraint procedures, either chemical or physical, which may influence endocrine functions. Therefore, the effects of ketamine anaesthesia on basal hormone levels and on the pituitary response to LRH and TRH were investigated in 4 adult male rhesus monkeys. Values were compared to those obtained from the same animals restrained in primate chairs for approximately 48 h, a procedure to which they had been accustomed to over the preceding 6 months. Serum cortisol levels under anaesthesia were at all times lower than in conscious monkeys, but increased after 2 h to values twice as high as measured initially. Serum testosterone concentrations were not significantly different on the two occasions, but levels under anaesthesia were slightly higher initially than in the conscious monkeys, and decreased gradually over the 3 h test period. Initial prolactin levels were lower in the anaesthetized monkeys, and increased 2–3-fold after 90 min; values at 3 h were not significantly different from those in conscious monkeys. Intravenous TRH elicited a similar response in prolactin on both occasions, maximum values occurring after 15–30 min and returning to basal levels after 3 h. The maximum values attained and the area under the response curves were higher under anaesthesia. LRH stimulation resulted in a 15- and 30-fold increase in serum levels of biologically active LH, with and without anaesthesia, respectively. Basal levels were not significantly different on the two occasions. The area under the LH response curve was higher in 3 of the 4 monkeys without anaesthesia. The extent to which results in conscious monkeys are affected by stress is difficult to assess. Since neither handling technique allows for the collection of 'true' basal data, it is paramount to standardize and define the conditions under which experiments, and even routine blood sampling, are performed in male rhesus monkeys.


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