Plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor and vasopressin responses to hypoglycaemia in normal man

The plasma cortisol, ACTH, AVP and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were investigated in six normal men using a controlled, randomized, cross-over design. Hormonal concentrations were determined following insulin or saline injection. The maximum cortisol response was seen at 90 min while plasma ACTH, AVP and CRF concentrations peaked at 45 min following insulin injection. The responses of the insulin-treated and control groups were compared by assessing the incremental response from baseline (pre-injection) to peak hormone levels. A significant increase was observed for each hormone following insulin injection. The mean of the incremental responses between 30 and 120 min in each subject was also statistically greater for each hormone in the insulin-treated group when compared with the control group. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that AVP and CRF are both physiological mediators of ACTH secretion induced by a hypoglycaemic stress.