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Ovine corticotropin releasing hormone stimulation test: normal value study.
W F Young1, A R Zinsmeister, C K Twomey
1Division of Endocrinology/Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) effectively stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy adults, increasing corticotropin, cortisol, and beta-endorphin levels. The response is not influenced by demographic factors like age or sex.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress response.
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a key regulator of the HPA axis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the pituitary-adrenal response to ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) in healthy individuals.
- To assess the impact of oCRH on plasma levels of corticotropin, cortisol, and beta-endorphin.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous bolus injection of 1 microgram/kg ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH).
- Measurement of plasma corticotropin, cortisol, and beta-endorphin levels at baseline and various time points post-injection.
- Inclusion of 50 healthy subjects.
Main Results:
- oCRH administration led to significant increases in plasma corticotropin, cortisol, and beta-endorphin levels.
- Peak responses for corticotropin, cortisol, and beta-endorphin occurred within 15-60 minutes post-injection.
- Facial flushing was the only reported side effect in 44% of subjects.
Conclusions:
- Ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) is a potent stimulator of the pituitary-adrenal axis in normal subjects.
- The HPA axis response to oCRH is not significantly affected by age, sex, or body mass index.
- oCRH can be safely administered to assess HPA axis function.