Dissociation of adrenal androgen and cortisol secretion in Cushing's syndrome

Cunningham, S. K.; McKenna, T. J.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.1994.tb02795.x

Cited by 41 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…When the androstenedione/DHEA ratio in males was examined for the two age categories (5-30 years and 30 years and over), the basal androstenedione/DHEA ratio in the younger group correlated significantly with age (r ¼ 0. 6 There was a statistically significant correlation of both basal (correlation coefficient r ¼ 0.41, P ¼ 0.02) and ACTH-stimulated androstenedione production (r ¼ 0.47, P ¼ 0.007) with age in male adrenal cells which was not seen in female adrenal cells.…”

Section: Cortisol Androstenedione and Dhea Interrelationshipsmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…In some patients with partial hypopituitarism, cortisol concentrations are normal and androgen concentrations are suppressed (5). Patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome have increased cortisol concentrations, whereas androgen concentrations are increased, normal or decreased (6). Circulating adrenal androgens demonstrate a striking and unexplained relationship with age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Intra-adrenal factors are not involved in the differential control of cortisol and adrenal androgens in human adrenals

Fearon

Clarke²,

McKenna³

et al. 1998

European Journal of Endocrinology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The differential control of adrenal androgens and cortisol may be due to intra-adrenal factors, which may be age-or sex-related, or due to extra-adrenal factors, such as circulating hormones. The purpose of this study was to identify any intrinsic differences that may exist in steroidogenic production occurring within adrenals obtained from males and females, and any maturational differences that may evolve with age. Using human adrenals from 48 transplant donors (32 males, 16 females; ages 5-60 years), the influences of age and sex on basal production of and ACTH-stimulated cortisol, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were examined in freshly prepared adrenal cell suspensions. Basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol, androstenedione and DHEA production were similar in adrenals from males and females and did not correlate significantly with age when the whole group was examined. When steroidogenesis in male and female adrenals was examined separately against age, a significant correlation was observed only for basal and ACTH-stimulated androstenedione in adrenals from males in the younger age group, 5-30 years (basal: r ¼ 0.84, P ¼ 0.0001; ACTH-stimulated: r ¼ 0.52, P ¼ 0.007). Examination of the relationships between the steroids disclosed that the basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol/androgen ratios did not correlate significantly with age, but the androstenedione/DHEA ratio showed a significant direct relationship with age in males only (basal: r ¼ 0.53, P ¼ 0.006; ACTH-stimulated: r ¼ 0.5, P=0.01).These data suggest that the influences of sex and age are minor in the modulation of adrenal steroidogenesis and support the concept that extra-adrenal factors dominate in the differential modulation of adrenal androgens and cortisol. The relationship between the androstenedione/ DHEA ratio and increasing age in men is consistent with the recently reported stimulatory effect of testosterone on adrenal steroidogenesis by induction of the conversion of DHEA to androstenedione.

show abstract

Section: Cortisol Androstenedione and Dhea Interrelationshipsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intra-adrenal factors are not involved in the differential control of cortisol and adrenal androgens in human adrenals

Fearon

Clarke²,

McKenna³

et al. 1998

European Journal of Endocrinology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Glucocorticoid treatment decreases adrenal androgen production by suppressing ACTH [20]. Chronic stressful conditions, such as anorexia nervosa [21] and Cushing's syndrome [22] may also decrease androgen levels.…”

Section: Causes Of Androgen Insufficiency In Womenmentioning

confidence: 97%

Androgen treatment in women

Kalantaridou

Calis

2006

Current Opinion in Endocrinology and Diabetes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose of reviewTestosterone therapy for women, particularly those with natural or surgically induced menopause, albeit controversial, is becoming more widespread. This review presents current data regarding the effects of endogenous androgen and examines recent findings using testosterone therapy in women. Recent findingsCurrent evidence indicates that androgens have important biological effects in women, acting directly via androgen receptors in tissues, such as bone, skin fibroblasts, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. They also act indirectly via the aromatization of testosterone to estrogen on various sites, such as the ovaries, bone, brain, heart and adipose tissue. Data from randomized controlled trials suggest that exogenous testosterone therapy improves sexual function, mood, and bone mineral density in women with androgen insufficiency. Summary Androgen therapy may be necessary for the management of carefully selected women with androgen insufficiency. Women with natural or surgically induced menopause may be candidates for testosterone therapy if they have decreased sexual desire and no other identifiable cause for decreased libido. Data from studies investigating the effects of testosterone therapy in young women with androgen insufficiency are needed. Common adverse effects of testosterone therapy include hirsutism and acne, which reverse with discontinuation of treatment. Long-term trials evaluating safety and effectiveness of testosterone therapy in women are lacking.Sponsorship: Drs Kalantaridou and Calis are associate investigators on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study of a transdermal testosterone patch in young women with premature ovarian failure, which is part of a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between the NIH and Procter and Gamble.

show abstract

“…In some patients with partial hypopituitarism cortisol levels are normal but androgen levels are suppressed (Cutler et al 1979). In Cushing's disease, ACTH and cortisol levels are increased, while over 50% of patients have normal androgen levels (Cunningham & McKenna 1994). Ectopie ACTH syndrome patients have increased cortisol levels, while androgen levels are increased, normal or decreased (Cunningham & McKenna 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The steroidogenic effects of β-endorphin and joining peptide: a potential role in the modulation of adrenal androgen production

Clarke¹,

Fearon²,

Cunningham³

et al. 1996

Journal of Endocrinology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examines the androgen-stimulating properties of pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides, ACTH, beta-endorphin (beta-End) and joining peptide (JP). Ten different cell suspensions were prepared from ten human adrenal glands. ACTH and JP stimulated cortisol, androstenedione (delta 4) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) production (P < 0.05); beta-End stimulated only delta 4 and DHEA production. beta-End brought about significant increases in the delta 4 or DHEA to cortisol ratios. The addition of beta-End (10(-10) M) suppressed ACTH-stimulated cortisol production from 7573 +/- 2960 to 5994 +/- 2654 pmol/10(6) cells (means +/- S.E.M.; P < 0.05). The addition of beta-End did not affect ACTH-stimulated delta 4 production (210 +/- 88 and 236 +/- 105 pmol/10(6) cells). JP (10(-10) M) inhibited ACTH-stimulated cortisol production so that the mean values fell to 5186 +/- 2588 and also inhibited DHEA production, from 240 +/- 48 to 180 +/- 33 pmol/10(6) cells. These results suggest that the relative production of androgen to cortisol is greater in response to beta-End and JP than in response to ACTH. If blood levels of these peptides rise to herald adrenarche as reported for beta-End, suppression of cortisol production may result in an increase in ACTH to correct cortisol levels resulting in an increase in delta 4 and DHEA levels. This may explain the occurrence of increasing androgen levels at adrenarche.

show abstract

Dissociation of adrenal androgen and cortisol secretion in Cushing's syndrome

Cited by 41 publications

References 27 publications

Intra-adrenal factors are not involved in the differential control of cortisol and adrenal androgens in human adrenals

Intra-adrenal factors are not involved in the differential control of cortisol and adrenal androgens in human adrenals

Androgen treatment in women

The steroidogenic effects of β-endorphin and joining peptide: a potential role in the modulation of adrenal androgen production

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About