The effect of low-dose naloxone infusion on plasma ACTH and LH in patients with Cushing's and Addison's diseases

The ACTH, cortisol and LH responses to low dose (0.8 mg/h) naloxone 90 min infusion were investigated in seven patients with untreated Cushing's disease, six patients with Addison's disease and four control subjects. Naloxone had no effects on ACTH hypersecretion or normal ACTH levels. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHormone and metabolic research Vol. 20; no. 4; p. 230
Main Authors Moreira, A C, Foss, M C, Iazigi, N, Verissimo, J M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 01.04.1988
Subjects
Addison Disease - blood
Adolescent
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood
Adult
Cushing Syndrome - blood
Female
Humans
Hydrocortisone - blood
Luteinizing Hormone - blood
Male
Middle Aged
Naloxone - pharmacology
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Summary:The ACTH, cortisol and LH responses to low dose (0.8 mg/h) naloxone 90 min infusion were investigated in seven patients with untreated Cushing's disease, six patients with Addison's disease and four control subjects. Naloxone had no effects on ACTH hypersecretion or normal ACTH levels. These data confirm that naloxone cannot provide additional diagnostic or therapeutic approaches in ACTH hypersecretion syndromes, mainly in Cushing's disease. The mean percentage LH levels did not significantly change during low dose naloxone in controls or patients with Cushing's and Addison's diseases. This suggests that increased endogenous opioid peptides in these diseases may not modify the LH responses to low dose of naloxone. However, since three of five adults with Cushing's disease had increased LH levels during naloxone, further studies may be indicated.
ISSN:0018-5043
DOI:10.1055/s-2007-1010800