[Use of glucocorticoid preparations in congenital adrenocortical dysfunction]

Circadian changes in the corticosteroid, testosterone, and ACTH content in the blood plasma were examined to monitor the suppressant effect of glucocorticoids on adrenocortical and hypophyseal functions during administering glucocorticoid drugs to patients with congenital adrenocortical dysfunction. The daily dose of glucocorticoids was given in two intakes according to the two schemes: scheme 1 included the drug intake in the morning and in the afternoon, scheme 2 in the morning and in the evening. The effect of glucocorticoid therapy on the pattern of the circadian rhythm and the absolute corticosteroid and testosterone content was shown to depend on the time of the drug intake. The treatment according to scheme 2 is preferable: the absolute testosterone content was reducing to normal during the whole day. Meanwhile the normal circadian rhythm of the adrenal cortex and hypophysis was preserved.