[The function of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system in Itsenko-Cushing syndrome]

Altogether 28 patients with adrenocortical tumors (corticosteromas and corticoandrosteromas) were examined using a radioimmunoassay to determine the concentration of corticotropin, cortisol, blood cyclic nucleotides, the circadian rhythm and time course of corticotropin and cortisol levels against a background of insulin hypoglycemia. In patients with Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome the basel level of cortisol was notably raised, that of corticotropin was sharply decreased. The circadian rhythm of the levels of corticotropin and cortisol was disturbed, a response of the hypophyseal-adrenal system to a stressor was suppressed. The concentration of blood cyclic nucleotides was increased, and these changes were dependent on the nature of adrenal pathology.