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01-12-2009

Ghrelin and GHRP-6-induced ACTH and cortisol release in thyrotoxicosis

Authors: Sergio Oliva Nascif, Patrícia Molica, Silvia Regina Correa-Silva, Marcos Roberto Silva, Ana-Maria Judith Lengyel

Published in: Pituitary | Issue 4/2009

Abstract

Thyrotoxicosis might alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We evaluated the effects of ghrelin and GHRP-6 on the HPA axis in 20 hyperthyroid patients and in 9 controls. Mean basal cortisol (μg/dl) and ACTH (pg/ml) levels were higher in hyperthyroidism (cortisol: 10.7 ± 0.7; ACTH: 21.5 ± 2.9) compared to controls (cortisol: 8.1 ± 0.7; ACTH: 13.5 ± 1.8). In thyrotoxicosis ∆ AUC cortisol values (μg/dl.90 min) after ghrelin (484 ± 80) and GHRP-6 (115 ± 63) were similar to controls (ghrelin: 524 ± 107; GHRP-6: 192 ± 73). A significant increase in ∆ AUC ACTH (pg/ml.90 min) after ghrelin was observed in thyrotoxicosis (4,189 ± 1,202) compared to controls (1,499 ± 338). ∆ AUC ACTH values after GHRP-6 were also higher, although not significantly (patients: 927 ± 330; controls: 539 ± 237). In summary, our results suggest that ghrelin-mediated pathways of ACTH release might be activated by thyroid hormone excess, but adrenocortical reserve is maintained.

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Title: Ghrelin and GHRP-6-induced ACTH and cortisol release in thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Sergio Oliva Nascif
Patrícia Molica
Silvia Regina Correa-Silva
Marcos Roberto Silva
Ana-Maria Judith Lengyel
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Pituitary / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 1386-341X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7403
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-009-0181-3

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