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Trandafir AI, Ghemigian A, Ciobica ML, Nistor C, Gurzun MM, Nistor TVI, Petrova E, Carsote M. Diabetes Mellitus in Non-Functioning Adrenal Incidentalomas: Analysis of the Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (MACS) Impact on Glucose Profile. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1606. [PMID: 39062179 PMCID: PMC11274780 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAIs) have been placed in relationship with a higher risk of glucose profile anomalies, while the full-blown typical picture of Cushing's syndrome (CS) and associated secondary (glucocorticoid-induced) diabetes mellitus is not explicitly confirmed in this instance. Our objective was to highlight the most recent data concerning the glucose profile, particularly, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in NFAIs with/without mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). This was a comprehensive review of the literature; the search was conducted according to various combinations of key terms. We included English-published, original studies across a 5-year window of publication time (from January 2020 until 1 April 2024) on PubMed. We excluded case reports, reviews, studies on T1DM or secondary diabetes, and experimental data. We identified 37 studies of various designs (14 retrospective studies as well 13 cross-sectional, 4 cohorts, 3 prospective, and 2 case-control studies) that analysed 17,391 individuals, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.47 (aged between 14 and 96 years). T2DM prevalence in MACS (affecting 10 to 30% of NFAIs) ranged from 12% to 44%. The highest T2DM prevalence in NFAI was 45.2% in one study. MACS versus (non-MACS) NFAIs (n = 16) showed an increased risk of T2DM and even of prediabetes or higher fasting plasma glucose or HbA1c (no unanimous results). T2DM prevalence was analysed in NFAI (N = 1243, female-to-male ratio of 1.11, mean age of 60.42) versus (non-tumour) controls (N = 1548, female-to-male ratio of 0.91, average age of 60.22) amid four studies, and two of them were confirmatory with respect to a higher rate in NFAIs. Four studies included a sub-group of CS compared to NFAI/MACS, and two of them did not confirm an increased rate of glucose profile anomalies in CS versus NFAIs/ACS. The longest period of follow-up with concern to the glycaemic profile was 10.5 years, and one cohort showed a significant increase in the T2DM rate at 17.9% compared to the baseline value of 0.03%. Additionally, inconsistent data from six studies enrolling 1039 individuals that underwent adrenalectomy (N = 674) and conservative management (N = 365) pinpointed the impact of the surgery in NFAIs. The regulation of the glucose metabolism after adrenalectomy versus baseline versus conservative management (n = 3) was improved. To our knowledge, this comprehensive review included one of the largest recent analyses in the field of glucose profile amid the confirmation of MACS/NFAI. In light of the rising incidence of NFAI/AIs due to easier access to imagery scans and endocrine evaluation across the spectrum of modern medicine, it is critical to assess if these patients have an increased frequency of cardio-metabolic disorders that worsen their overall comorbidity and mortality profile, including via the confirmation of T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra-Ioana Trandafir
- PhD Doctoral School of “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
- Department of Clinical Endocrinology V, “C.I. Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania; (A.G.); (E.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Adina Ghemigian
- Department of Clinical Endocrinology V, “C.I. Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania; (A.G.); (E.P.); (M.C.)
- Department of Endocrinology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihai-Lucian Ciobica
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine I and Rheumatology, “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military University Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Claudiu Nistor
- Department 4-Cardio-Thoracic Pathology, Thoracic Surgery II Discipline, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Thoracic Surgery Department, “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military University Emergency Hospital, 010242 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Maria-Magdalena Gurzun
- Cardiology Discipline, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
- Laboratory of Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Exploration, “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military University Emergency Hospital, 010242 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Tiberiu Vasile Ioan Nistor
- Medical Biochemistry Discipline, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Eugenia Petrova
- Department of Clinical Endocrinology V, “C.I. Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania; (A.G.); (E.P.); (M.C.)
- Department of Endocrinology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mara Carsote
- Department of Clinical Endocrinology V, “C.I. Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania; (A.G.); (E.P.); (M.C.)
- Department of Endocrinology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
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Sun S, Wang Y. Relationship between cortisol and diabetic microvascular complications: a retrospective study. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:391. [PMID: 37773081 PMCID: PMC10543849 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01325-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate whether serum cortisol associate with diabetic microvascular compliments in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS The subjects were recruited from hospitalized patients with T2DM from 2019 to 2021. The odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) in relation to cortisol quartiles were obtained by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS (1) Cortisol level was positively correlated with the severity of microalbuminuria. The OR (95% CI) of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria in the last quartile were 3.396 (2.030, 5.682) and 8.407 (3.726, 18.971) compared with the first quartile (p < 0.001). (2) Cortisol level was positively correlated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The OR (95% CI) of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy group (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy group (PDR) in the last quartile were 2.007 (1.401, 2.875) and 7.122 (2.525, 20.090) compared with the first quartile. (3) Elevated cortisol level was associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The OR (95% CI) of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in the last quartile was 1.956 (1.371, 2.792) and that in the third quartile was 1.854 (1.319, 2.608). CONCLUSIONS High serum cortisol levels were significantly associated with diabetic microvascular compliments in inpatients. Its causality remains to be further studied. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ChiCTR2100051749.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Sun
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Yangang Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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Wang Y, Hu W, Han J, Zheng J, Jiang N, Feng Y, Tian Z. Electroacupuncture alleviates perioperative hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction via circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1115569. [PMID: 36760604 PMCID: PMC9905746 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1115569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has long been used to alleviate surgery-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction. However, its downstream gene targets in the brain remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to clarify the potential targets of EA based on RNA sequencing techniques (RNA-seq). Rats were divided into normal control (NC), hepatectomy surgery (HT), HT + EA, and HT + sham EA groups followed by RNA-seq of two representative nuclei in the hypothalamus and amygdala. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified six gene modules associated with neuroendocrine transmitters and neural remodeling in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks revealed EA-related candidate miRNAs and circRNAs, of which opioid receptor mu 1 might be an EA-specific target, and showed regulation by competing endogenous RNA. We identified the neuroendocrine circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks through which EA has an effect on HPA axis dysfunction, thus providing potential targets and future research directions for EA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayuan Zheng
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhanzhuang Tian
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Zhanzhuang Tian, ✉
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Araujo-Castro M, Parra Ramírez P, Robles Lázaro C, García Centeno R, Gracia Gimeno P, Fernández-Ladreda MT, Sampedro Núñez MA, Marazuela M, Escobar-Morreale HF, Valderrabano P. Accuracy of the dexamethasone suppression test for the prediction of autonomous cortisol secretion-related comorbidities in adrenal incidentalomas. Hormones (Athens) 2021; 20:735-744. [PMID: 34273083 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-021-00308-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) for the prediction of autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS)-related comorbidities in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs). METHODS This was a retrospective multicenter study. We recruited patients with AI/s ≥ 1 cm, excluding those who, during the study, were found during the extension study of an extra-adrenal cancer, with a known diagnosis of hereditary syndromes characterized by adrenal tumors, those presenting with overt hormonal excess syndromes, and those in whom the DST results were missing. RESULTS A total of 823 patients met the inclusion criteria. Based on the 1.8, 3.0, and 5.0 µg/dl post-DST cortisol thresholds, the prevalence of ACS was 33.5%, 13.7%, and 5.6%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3-2.4), diabetes (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2-2.2), and dyslipidemia (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-1.9) was higher with cortisol post-DST ≥ 1.8 µg/dl; the prevalence of hypertension (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.4-3.3) and diabetes (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.6) was higher with values ≥ 3.0 µg/dl; and the prevalence of hypertension (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0-3.7) was higher with levels ≥ 5.0 µg/dl. However, the diagnostic accuracy of the DST for the prediction of cardiometabolic comorbidities in patients with AIs was poor, with areas under the ROC curve < 0.61. CONCLUSIONS The DST is a poor predictor of cardiometabolic comorbidities in patients with AIs regardless of the cortisol cut-off values applied. This finding suggests that the diagnosis of ACS should not be based solely on the results of the DST. Other clinical, metabolic, or imaging markers showing a better performance for the prediction of the development and progression of cardiometabolic comorbidities in AIs need to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Araujo-Castro
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IRYCIS), Hospital Universitario Ramón Y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Health Science, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mónica Marazuela
- Endocrinology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor F Escobar-Morreale
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón Y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Universidad de Alcalá & Instituto Ramón Y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria & Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Diabetes Y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Valderrabano
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón Y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
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Higashikawa T, Ito T, Mizuno T, Ishigami K, Kuroki K, Maekawa N, Usuda D, Morita T, Hamada K, Takagi S, Takeshima K, Yamada S, Sangen R, Izumida T, Mori H, Kiyosawa J, Saito A, Iguchi M, Nakahashi T, Kasamaki Y, Fukuda A, Kanda T, Okuro M. Effects of tofogliflozin on adrenocorticotropic hormone, renin and aldosterone, and cortisol levels in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus: A retrospective study of a patient cohort. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27638. [PMID: 34766565 PMCID: PMC8589243 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol reportedly play a role in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the underlying mechanism remains controversial. We retrospectively investigated the effect of tofogliflozin on serum ACTH and cortisol levels in elderly patients with T2DM.Patients received 20 mg tofogliflozin daily for 3 months. Serum ACTH and cortisol levels were measured at baseline, as well as after 1 month and 3 months of tofogliflozin therapy.Serum ACTH levels were significantly reduced 3 months after tofogliflozin treatment (P < .01). Additionally, serum cortisol levels were reduced 3 months after tofogliflozin treatment, demonstrating borderline significance (P = .05). The higher body mass index (BMI; ≥25 kg/m2) group showed higher ACTH and cortisol levels than the lower BMI (<25 kg/m2) group, with borderline significance (P = .05). Renin levels were significantly increased 1 month after treatment (P < .05), maintaining serum aldosterone levels in parallel with the extracellular fluid.Our findings suggested that tofogliflozin decreased both serum ACTH and cortisol levels, with higher levels observed in the high BMI group. Tofogliflozin increased serum renin levels while maintaining serum aldosterone and extracellular fluid levels. Collectively, tofogliflozin could affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway in patients with T2DM, especially in the low BMI group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Higashikawa
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Ito
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takurou Mizuno
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Keiichirou Ishigami
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kengo Kuroki
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Naoto Maekawa
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Daisuke Usuda
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takuro Morita
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kazu Hamada
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Susumu Takagi
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kento Takeshima
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Shinya Yamada
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Ryusho Sangen
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Toshihide Izumida
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Mori
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Jun Kiyosawa
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Saito
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Masaharu Iguchi
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nakahashi
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yuji Kasamaki
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Akihiro Fukuda
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tsugiyasu Kanda
- Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Kurakawa, Himi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Masashi Okuro
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa, Japan
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Lin Y, Zhang Z, Wang S, Cai J, Guo J. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal Axis in Glucolipid metabolic disorders. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2020; 21:421-429. [PMID: 32889666 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-020-09586-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
With the change of life style, glucolipid metabolic disorders (GLMD) has become one of the major chronic disorders causing public health and clinical problems worldwide. Previous studies on GLMD pay more attention to peripheral tissues. In fact, the central nervous system (CNS) plays an important role in controlling the overall metabolic balance. With the development of technology and the in-depth understanding of the CNS, the relationship between neuro-endocrine-immunoregulatory (NEI) network and metabolism had been gradually illustrated. As the hub of NEI network, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is important for maintaining the balance of internal environment in the body. The relationship between HPA axis and GLMD needs to be further studied. This review focuses on the role of HPA axis in GLMD and reviews the research progress on drugs for GLMD, with the hope to provide the direction for exploring new drugs to treat GLMD by taking the HPA axis as the target and improve the level of prevention and control of GLMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanduan Lin
- Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Centre of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Centre of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Wang
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyan Cai
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jiao Guo
- Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Centre of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China.
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Ceccato F, Lizzul L, Barbot M, Scaroni C. Pituitary-adrenal axis and peripheral cortisol metabolism in obese patients. Endocrine 2020; 69:386-392. [PMID: 32564190 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-020-02392-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM A close relationship between adiposity and increased cortisol levels is well established in patients with endogenous hypercortisolism. Nevertheless, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation in overweight subjects is still a matter of concern. We studied free cortisol (urinary free cortisol, UFC and late night salivary cortisol, LNSC), pituitary feedback (serum cortisol after 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test, 1 mg DST) and peripheral cortisol metabolism (urinary cortisol to cortisone ratio, F/Eratio) in a large series of overweight subjects without Cushing's Syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS We considered 234 patients divided in 5 BMI classes, matched for age and gender (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2n = 38; 25-30 n = 58; 30-35 n = 52; 35-40 n = 52; >40 n = 34). UFC, LNSC and urinary F/Eratio were assessed with LC-MS. RESULTS We collected 183 LNSC, 176 UFC, 152 1 mg DST and 64 F/Eratio tests. UFC levels were higher in lean subjects, and they decreased according to the BMI classes (p = 0.022). Non-suppressed cortisol levels (>50 nmol/L) after 1 mg DST were observed especially in patients with normal weight or mild obesity. Patients with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 revealed a reduced F/Eratio (0.39 vs. 0.61, p = 0.006). The specificity of tests (false positive results) was higher considering 1 mg DST or UFC in obese patients, on the contrary impaired cortisol rhythm (LNSC above normality) was observed in 47 subjects, irrespective of weight. CONCLUSIONS Overweight and obese subjects are characterised by an original regulation of HPA axis (reduced UFC levels, increased suppression after 1 mg DST) and peripheral cortisol metabolism (reduced F/Eratio), suggesting an effort to counteract hypercortisolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Ceccato
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy.
- Department of Neurosciences DNS, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Laura Lizzul
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mattia Barbot
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carla Scaroni
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
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