Stimulatory effect of naloxone on plasma cortisol in human: Possible direct stimulatory action at the adrenal cortex

The purpose of the present study was to gain a better insight in the mechanism of naloxone underlying the regulation of adrenal cortisol secretion in humans in vivo; therefore, the stimulatory effect of naloxone on cortisol secretion was assessed in a group of patients with hypothalamo-pituitary dis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Regulatory peptides 2011-01, Vol.166 (1), p.1-2
Main Authors: Coiro, V., Volpi, R., Stella, A., Venturi, N., Chiodera, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal Cortex - drug effects
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - secretion
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Cortisol
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Hydrocortisone - blood
Hydrocortisone - secretion
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - drug effects
Male
Middle Aged
Naloxone
Naloxone - pharmacology
Pituitary Neoplasms - blood
Vertebrates: endocrinology
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Summary:The purpose of the present study was to gain a better insight in the mechanism of naloxone underlying the regulation of adrenal cortisol secretion in humans in vivo; therefore, the stimulatory effect of naloxone on cortisol secretion was assessed in a group of patients with hypothalamo-pituitary disconnection. Patients with hypothalamo-pituitary disconnection because of various pathologies (craniopharingioma, cordoma, suprasellar meningioma, or pituitary macroadenoma) participated in the study. Circulating cortisol, but not adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) levels were significantly higher after naloxone administration than after saline. Besides the well-known hypothalamo-pituitary stimulatory action on ACTH release in normal humans, the results of the present study suggest that naloxone exerts direct effects on cortisol secretion at the adrenal gland level; another possibility is that naloxone stimulation of cortisol secretion is mediated by other factor than ACTH. ► Naloxone enhances cortisol secretion through ACTH stimulation in normal humans. ► Patients with hypothalamo-pituitary disconnection were tested with naloxone. ► Plasma cortisol, but not ACTH levels were significantly higher after naloxone. ► Data suggest direct effects by naloxone on cortisol secretion at adrenal level.
ISSN:0167-0115
1873-1686
DOI:10.1016/j.regpep.2010.08.008