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Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine in acromegaly
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|September 1, 1975
Summary
This study found no differences in plasma catecholamine levels between active acromegaly patients and healthy individuals. Norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations were similar in both groups, both at rest and when standing.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Acromegaly, a disorder caused by excess growth hormone (GH), can affect various physiological systems.
- The role of catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine) in acromegaly pathophysiology is not fully understood.
- Previous research has suggested potential links between GH excess and autonomic nervous system function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine in patients with active acromegaly.
- To compare catecholamine levels in acromegaly patients with those in effectively treated acromegalic patients and healthy controls.
- To assess the relationship between catecholamine levels, serum GH, and blood pressure in acromegaly.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations in supine resting position and after 10 minutes of standing.
- Study groups included 10 active acromegalic patients, 2 treated acromegalic patients, and 15 healthy non-acromegalic subjects.
- Serum GH levels and diastolic blood pressure were also recorded for correlation analysis.
Main Results:
- Plasma catecholamine concentrations were not significantly correlated with serum GH levels or diastolic blood pressure in acromegalic patients.
- Mean plasma norepinephrine concentrations showed similar increases upon standing in both active acromegaly patients (211 to 501 pg/ml) and normal subjects (210 to 502 pg/ml).
- Plasma epinephrine concentrations were also comparable between the groups (acromegalics: 33 pg/ml supine, 60 pg/ml standing; normals: 57 pg/ml supine, 7 pg/ml standing).
Conclusions:
- No abnormalities in basal or stimulated plasma catecholamine concentrations were detected in patients with active acromegaly.
- The findings suggest that catecholamine regulation is not significantly impaired in acromegaly.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential neuroendocrine alterations in acromegaly.