The adrenal sensitivity to ACTH stimulation is preserved in anorexia nervosa

• Published in: Journal of endocrinological investigation 2004-05, Vol.27 (5), p.436-441
• Main Authors: Lanfranco, F, Gianotti, L, Picu, A, Fassino, S, Abbate Daga, G, Mondelli, V, Giordano, R, Grottoli, S, Ghigo, E, Arvat, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adrenal Glands - drug effects; Adrenal Glands - physiopathology; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - pharmacology; Adult; Aldosterone - blood; Anorexia Nervosa - blood; Anorexia Nervosa - physiopathology; Anorexia Nervosa - urine; Dehydroepiandrosterone - blood; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Hydrocortisone - urine; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - drug effects; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiopathology; Pituitary-Adrenal System - drug effects; Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiopathology; Renin - blood
• ISSN: 0391-4097; 1720-8386
• DOI: 10.1007/BF03345287

Hyperactivity of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in anorexia nervosa (AN) has been demonstrated and is likely to reflect a central nervous system (CNS)-mediated effect of starvation. Alterations in the adrenal response to ACTH in AN have also been reported by some authors. In order to define the adrenal sensitivity to ACTH in this condition, we studied cortisol (F), aldosterone (A) and DHEA responses to the sequential administration of low and supramaximal ACTH 1-24 doses (0.06 microg/m2 ACTH 1-24 iv at 0 min and 250 microg ACTH 1-24 iv at +60 min, respectively) in 10 young women with AN [ANW, age 21.2 +/- 0.9 yr, body mass index (BMI) 15.7 +/- 0.6 kg/m2]. The results in this group were compared with those recorded in 10 healthy normal women (HW, 23.4 +/- 1.1 yr, 21.9 +/- 0.9 kg/m2). In ANW urinary F levels were similar to those in HW. Basal serum F, A and DHEA levels in ANW were not significantly different from those in HW. In HW the lowest ACTH dose induced a significant (p