scholarly journals Cushing's syndrome secondary to ACTH-Independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 1226-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia Helena Soares Costa ◽  
André Lacroix

ACTH-Independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) is a rare cause of endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS), in which clinical features usually become apparent only after several decades of life. This form of adrenal hyperplasia typically produces excess cortisol with overt or subclinical CS, but concurrent secretion of mineralocorticoids or sexual steroids can also occur. The diagnosis is suspected by bilateral adrenal nodules larger than 1 cm on incidental imaging studies or following the demonstration of ACTH-independent hormonal hypersecretion. The pathophysiology of this entity is heterogeneous and has been intensely explored in recent years. Several G-protein coupled receptors aberrantly expressed in the adrenal cortex have been implicated in the regulation of steroidogenesis and in the initial cell proliferation in AIMAH. Several familial cases of AIMAH have been recently described with the same pattern of aberrant hormone receptors in all affected members of the family. It is probable that additional somatic genetic events related to cell cycle regulation, adhesion and transcription factors occur in addition over time in the various nodules; other mechanisms, as Gsp or ACTH receptor mutations and paracrine adrenal hormonal secretion have been rarely identified as the molecular mechanism in some cases. When systematically screened, most patients with AIMAH exhibit an in vivo aberrant cortisol response to one or various ligands suggesting the presence of aberrant adrenal receptors. The identification of these receptors creates the possibility of a specific pharmacological treatment isolated or associated with adrenalectomy.

2010 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossella Libé ◽  
Joël Coste ◽  
Laurence Guignat ◽  
Frédérique Tissier ◽  
Hervé Lefebvre ◽  
...  

ContextACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) is a rare and heterogeneous condition characterized by abnormal steroid production. Cortisol secretion can be regulated by aberrant hormone receptors.ObjectiveA large series of patients with AIMAH were evaluated to provide information on the prevalence and profile of aberrant regulations, in relation with the functional status.Design and patientsThirty-two consecutive patients with AIMAH were prospectively studied: 10 had a Cushing's syndrome (CS), and 22 had a subclinical CS (SCS).MethodsA baseline endocrine evaluation was followed by an in vivo protocol in search of aberrant cortisol responses (seven provocative tests). An acute inhibition test with the somatostatin analog octreotide was also performed.ResultsAt least one aberrant cortisol response was identified in 28 of 32 (87%) patients. The overall prevalence of aberrant responses was independent of the functional status. Responses to the upright posture and to metoclopramide were frequently observed (67 and 56% respectively). A glucagon response was frequently observed in the SCS group (58%). A cortisol inhibition by octreotide was specifically found in the three CS patients who positively responded to the mixed meal, and was observed also in 12 of 13 (92%) patients with SCS.ConclusionsCortisol responses indicative of aberrant receptor expression were highly prevalent in AIMAH. Thorough phenotyping of AIMAH may help uncover the underlying pathophysiology.


2000 ◽  
Vol 85 (10) ◽  
pp. 3531-3536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hortensia Mircescu ◽  
Jose Jilwan ◽  
Nina N′Diaye ◽  
Isabelle Bourdeau ◽  
Johanne Tremblay ◽  
...  

Twenty consecutive patients with adrenal Cushing’s syndrome were studied with an in vivo protocol to determine the prevalence and diversity of the presence of ectopic or abnormal hormone receptors in their adrenal tissues. All six patients with bilateral ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia were found to have one or two abnormal adrenal receptors, including those for gastric inhibitory polypeptide, vasopressin (V1-vasopressin),β -adrenergic agonists, LH/human CG, or serotonin 5-HT4. The presence of abnormal hormone receptors was found to be less frequently present in unilateral adenomas or carcinomas (3 of 14). The identification of abnormal adrenal hormone receptors can allow new pharmacological therapies of hypercortisolism. We suggest that the clinical screening for the presence of abnormal hormone receptors should be conducted in patients with adrenal Cushing’s syndrome and, more particularly, in those with ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia, in the hope of offering medical therapy as an alternative to bilateral adrenalectomy.


2010 ◽  
Vol 163 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
J W B de Groot ◽  
T P Links ◽  
A P N Themmen ◽  
L H Looijenga ◽  
R R de Krijger ◽  
...  

ObjectiveAberrant adrenal expression of various hormone receptors has been identified in ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing cortisol hypersecretion regulated by hormones other than ACTH. We aimed to determine aberrant expression of multiple hormone receptors in vivo and in vitro in adrenal tissue of a patient with AIMAH.DesignThe design of the study includes clinical case description, and biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis to demonstrate aberrant expression of multiple hormone receptors in AIMAH.MethodsThe subject of the study is a male diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome because of AIMAH. Directly after laparoscopic removal of the adrenals, adrenal tissue was incubated with and without test substances (ACTH, forskolin, arginine vasopressin (AVP), desmopressin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, purified human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), metoclopramide and the combinations of AVP with ACTH, epinephrine and metoclopramide). LH/hCG-receptor (hCG-R) immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analyses were performed to demonstrate aberrant expression of LH/hCG-R and V1–3-AVPR.ResultsAIMAH was characterized by in vivo cortisol responsiveness to AVP and in vitro cortisol responses to AVP, hCG, epinephrine, and norepinephrine suggesting aberrant adrenal expression of the receptors for AVP (the V1–3-AVPRs), catecholamines (the β-AR), and LH (the LH/hCG-R). Incubation with combinations of AVP and ACTH and of AVP with epinephrine induced a stronger cortisol response compared with incubation with the individual agents. Moreover, we demonstrated adrenal V1–3-AVPR and LH/hCG-R expression.ConclusionsAIMAH tissue may simultaneously express multiple aberrant hormone receptors, and individual ligands may potentiate each other regarding cell proliferation and cortisol production.


2003 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
pp. 4616-4622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Mannelli ◽  
Pietro Ferruzzi ◽  
Paola Luciani ◽  
Clara Crescioli ◽  
Lisa Buci ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Poku ◽  
Randa Sharag Eldin ◽  
Abubakr Hassab Elrasoul Babiker Mohamed ◽  
Sadiq Sobia

Abstract Case presentation: A 48-year-old female with HTN presented to the endocrinology clinic for the evaluation of incidental bilateral adrenal masses noted on chest CT for dyspnea workup. At the time of the presentation, she reported generalized fatigue, significant weight gain in the past year and shortness of breath. Her physical exam was remarkable for central obesity. Lab work showed elevated cortisol after 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test x 2 and elevated 24- hour urine cortisol. Plasma free metanephrine levels and aldosterone/ renin ratio were normal. MRI abdomen was done and showed bilateral adrenal masses (left: 5.6 cm, right: 3.2 cm). Patient was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome secondary to primary bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and was referred to endocrine surgery who recommended unilateral adrenalectomy. The decision was made to remove the larger left side adrenal mass. On post-operative day one her am cortisol decreased to 2.1 and she was started on hydrocortisone 20 mg in the morning and 10 mg in the evening. Discussion: Primary bilateral adrenal hyperplasia is a rare cause (< 2 %) of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome, usually occurs in a bimodal age distribution, in childhood and in the fifth- sixth decades. Presentation is variable with most patients having no symptoms or subclinical Cushing’s. The theory is the larger nodule size corelates with the higher cortisol production. Studies have shown between 60-70% of cases has aberrant ectopic hormone receptors which leads to increased cortisol production not only from ACTH but also from other ligands such as serotonin and vasopressin. Aberrant receptor testing examines whether cortisol or other steroid production increases in response to either physiologic or pharmacologic stimulus. Multiple genetic mutations have been associated, the most frequent is mutations in the Armadillo repeat- containing 5 gene identified in 2013. Treatment can either be medical or surgical. Medical therapy can be initiated if testing for an aberrant receptor is positive. In recent years there has been a trend towards doing unilateral adrenalectomy instead of bilateral, with initial remission of symptoms reported in about 84% of cases after unilateral adrenalectomy although there is a small risk of recurrence. Post operatively after unilateral adrenalectomy patients should be monitored for adrenal insufficiency. Our patient declined aberrant receptor testing and opted for surgery and is doing well post operatively. Conclusion: Primary bilateral adrenal hyperplasia is a rare cause of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome which can be treated either medically or surgically.


2018 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 86-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
María de los Lirios Juliá-Sanchis ◽  
María del Pino Navarro-Téllez ◽  
Karen Vanesa Falcones-Gracia ◽  
Enrique Ricart-Álvarez ◽  
María Victoria González-Bueno ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 147 (5) ◽  
pp. 226-227
Author(s):  
María Molina Vega ◽  
Araceli Muñoz Garach ◽  
José Antonio López Medina ◽  
Francisco Tinahones Madueño

2015 ◽  
Vol 173 (4) ◽  
pp. M45-M60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nada El Ghorayeb ◽  
Isabelle Bourdeau ◽  
André Lacroix

The mechanisms regulating cortisol production when ACTH of pituitary origin is suppressed in primary adrenal causes of Cushing's syndrome (CS) include diverse genetic and molecular mechanisms. These can lead either to constitutive activation of the cAMP system and steroidogenesis or to its regulation exerted by the aberrant adrenal expression of several hormone receptors, particularly G-protein coupled hormone receptors (GPCR) and their ligands. Screening for aberrant expression of GPCR in bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (BMAH) and unilateral adrenal tumors of patients with overt or subclinical CS demonstrates the frequent co-expression of several receptors. Aberrant hormone receptors can also exert their activity by regulating the paracrine secretion of ACTH or other ligands for those receptors in BMAH or unilateral tumors. The aberrant expression of hormone receptors is not limited to adrenal CS but can be implicated in other endocrine tumors including primary aldosteronism and Cushing's disease. Targeted therapies to block the aberrant receptors or their ligands could become useful in the future.


Author(s):  
Maria Molina Vega ◽  
Jose Antonio Lopez Medina ◽  
Araceli Munoz Garach ◽  
Isabel Cornejo Pareja ◽  
Cristina Diaz Perdigones ◽  
...  

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