Genetic influence of an ACTH receptor promoter polymorphism on adrenal androgen secretion

in European Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
Nicole ReischDivision of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine Innenstadt, University Hospital Munich, Germany, 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK and 2Divison of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Search for other papers by Nicole Reisch in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
,
Marc SlawikDivision of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine Innenstadt, University Hospital Munich, Germany, 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK and 2Divison of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Search for other papers by Marc Slawik in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
,
Oliver ZwermannDivision of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine Innenstadt, University Hospital Munich, Germany, 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK and 2Divison of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Search for other papers by Oliver Zwermann in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
,
Felix BeuschleinDivision of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine Innenstadt, University Hospital Munich, Germany, 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK and 2Divison of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Search for other papers by Felix Beuschlein in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
, and
Martin ReinckeDivision of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine Innenstadt, University Hospital Munich, Germany, 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK and 2Divison of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Search for other papers by Martin Reincke in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
View More View Less

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/eje.1.02015
Volume/Issue:
Volume 153: Issue 5
Page Range:
711–715
Article Type:
Other
Online Publication Date:
Nov 2005
Copyright:
© 2005 Society of the European Journal of Endocrinology 2005
Free access

Objective: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is the primary secretagogue stimulating secretion of adrenal androgens (AA). Yet, genetic and environmental factors are assumed to play a determining role in the regulation of their biosynthesis and thus might explain the high variability of AA levels. Here we investigate the influence of an ACTH receptor promoter polymorphism affecting ACTH receptor gene transcription on ACTH-dependent dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion.

Design: We recently reported a polymorphism within the transcription initiation site of the ACTH receptor gene promoter that alters the consensus sequence from CTC to CCC at −2 bp. This results in lower promoter activity in vitro and is associated with impaired cortisol response to ACTH stimulation in vivo. We now studied 14 normal, lean volunteers aged 20–35 years (eight CTC/CTC and six CCC/CCC carriers) in a 6-h ACTH stimulation test.

Methods: After overnight dexamethasone suppression, ACTH1-24 was administered continuously in each subject with hourly increasing doses (120–3840 ng/m2 body surface area/h) within a 6-h period. On a separate day, baseline DHEA samples were collected.

Results: In the 6-h ACTH stimulation test, CTC/CTC carriers showed a significantly higher DHEA response than CCC/CCC carriers (area under the curve: 19 367 ± 2919 vs 11 098 ± 1241 nmol/l per min; P < 0.04, Mann–Whitney U-test). In contrast, baseline DHEA concentrations did not differ between groups.

Conclusion: These data demonstrate that genetic variations within the ACTH receptor promoter result in decreased DHEA secretion. Thus, we might have identified one of the genetic factors responsible for variation in ACTH-dependent DHEA secretion.

Abstract

Objective: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is the primary secretagogue stimulating secretion of adrenal androgens (AA). Yet, genetic and environmental factors are assumed to play a determining role in the regulation of their biosynthesis and thus might explain the high variability of AA levels. Here we investigate the influence of an ACTH receptor promoter polymorphism affecting ACTH receptor gene transcription on ACTH-dependent dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion.

Design: We recently reported a polymorphism within the transcription initiation site of the ACTH receptor gene promoter that alters the consensus sequence from CTC to CCC at −2 bp. This results in lower promoter activity in vitro and is associated with impaired cortisol response to ACTH stimulation in vivo. We now studied 14 normal, lean volunteers aged 20–35 years (eight CTC/CTC and six CCC/CCC carriers) in a 6-h ACTH stimulation test.

Methods: After overnight dexamethasone suppression, ACTH1-24 was administered continuously in each subject with hourly increasing doses (120–3840 ng/m2 body surface area/h) within a 6-h period. On a separate day, baseline DHEA samples were collected.

Results: In the 6-h ACTH stimulation test, CTC/CTC carriers showed a significantly higher DHEA response than CCC/CCC carriers (area under the curve: 19 367 ± 2919 vs 11 098 ± 1241 nmol/l per min; P < 0.04, Mann–Whitney U-test). In contrast, baseline DHEA concentrations did not differ between groups.

Conclusion: These data demonstrate that genetic variations within the ACTH receptor promoter result in decreased DHEA secretion. Thus, we might have identified one of the genetic factors responsible for variation in ACTH-dependent DHEA secretion.

Introduction

The adrenal androgens (AA) are mainly synthesized in the inner zona reticularis of the adrenal gland, and are secreted in higher amounts than both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids (1). Only lipophilic dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be converted to estrogens and androgens intracellularly, while dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is its hydrophilic storage form in the blood (2). In contrast to the other major adrenal steroids, cortisol and aldosterone, DHEA secretion follows a characteristic, age-related pattern throughout life. Gradually rising in prepuberty (the adrenarche), it reaches peak concentrations in the third decade of life, before declining again in old age. The concentrations at 70–80 years of age are only 20–30% of those in young adults (the adrenopause) (1–3). In addition to these age-related DHEA variations, a broad intersubject variability has been reported (4, 5). While the regulation of cortisol and aldosterone biosynthesis is well-defined, the mechanisms of AA production remain elusive. As indicated by in vitro and in vivo results, androgen synthesis in the zona reticularis is mainly regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (6, 7). ACTH, after binding to its G-protein-coupled receptor, activates the adenylate cyclase (cAMP) pathway with subsequent activation of protein kinase A. DHEA synthesis requires only two steroidogenic enzymes, cholesterol-side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A) and 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17), both of which are also utilized for cortisol synthesis in the zona fasciculata (8–10).

However, differential synthesis of cortisol and AA, as well as the high degree of interindividual variation of DHEA secretion, indicates that, besides ACTH, other, genetic or environmental, factors modulate AA biosynthesis (1, 8, 9, 11–16).

We hypothesize that observed differences in adrenal responsiveness to fixed doses of ACTH during a stimulation test (5) depend upon molecular differences within the ACTH-dependent pathway of steroid synthesis.

Our study shows that the recently described polymorphism within the ACTH receptor promoter transcription initiation site located at −2 bp (17) is associated with a reduced DHEA response to ACTH in healthy subjects. This adds new evidence of the control of adrenal androgen synthesis, and may indicate an important mechanism underlying the ACTH-dependent variation of AA concentrations.

Subjects and methods

Subjects

Genotyping, recruitment of the study population, and the test characteristics have been described previously (17). For genotyping, DNA from blood samples (DNA isolation by the QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit; Qiagen) from male donors received from the blood bank of the University Hospital Freiburg was amplified by PCR and restriction enzyme fragment polymorphism identified by SacI digestion. The upstream and the downstream primers were 5′-GCG CGC GCA GAT CTA AGC AGG AAC TTT CTG GG-3′ and 5′-CGG GGT ACC GGG ATG ACA TTT ATT CAA GG-3′, binding at positions −89 and +23 (with regard to the transcription initiation site) respectively. PCR was performed with 5 U Ampli Taq (PE Applied Biosystems, Darmstadt, Germany). Cycle conditions were 35 cycles of denaturation (30 s at 94 °C), annealing (30 s at 56 °C) and extension (1 min at 72 °C). As the CCC polymorphism disrupts an existing SacI restriction site, PCR products were digested for 3 h with SacI (20 U, New England Bio-Labs, Frankfurt, Germany). Fragments were separated on a 2% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide, and photographed.

Participants in the ACTH stimulation test were aged 20–35 years, with a normal BMI of 20–25 and a body surface area of roughly 2 m2 without significant difference between the genotypes. Exclusion criteria were bronchial asthma; pituitary, renal or liver disease; acute or chronic stress; alcohol abuse; depressive disorders; current or former treatment with glucocorticoids; and known allergies to ACTH 1–24. The ethics committee of the University of Freiburg approved the study protocol, and all subjects gave written, informed consent.

Baseline DHEA and DHEAS concentrations

The baseline DHEA and DHEAS serum samples were collected at 1600 h. For this purpose, we used pooled baseline samples from a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test (−15 and 0 min) (17).

ACTH stimulation test

In this study, for DHEA measurements after ACTH stimulation, serum samples from eight homozygous CTC and six CCC carriers were used. The ACTH test was performed on a separate occasion at least 3 days after collection of the baseline samples. The applied ACTH infusion test was modified from a test described by Komindr et al. (18) and Slayden et al. (19).

All participants were pretreated with dexamethasone orally to suppress endogenous ACTH secretion: 2 mg at 2300 h the day before, and 1.5 mg at 0800 h, 1200 h and 1600 h respectively on the day of the ACTH stimulation test. Doses and timing of dexamethasone administration were determined empirically in preliminary tests. Low plasma ACTH levels (≤1.1 pmol/l) in all subjects indicated adequate suppression.

Participants arrived at 1545 h in the outpatient clinic after fasting since lunch (1300 h). At 1600 h, two i.v. lines were inserted, one for continuous ACTH infusion, doubled hourly (120–3840 ng/m2 body surface area/h), and the other for collection of blood samples. As the cortisol response between CTC/CTC and CCC/CCC individuals was not different during hour 1 of the test (17), we selected the time period of 60–340 min for DHEA determination.

Hormone assay

All samples were centrifuged at 4000 r.p.m. for 10 min and stored at −20 °C until assayed. All serum samples for DHEA were measured at the end of the study in one run. Serum DHEA was determined by a commercial radioimmunoassay (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Sinsheim, Germany). The cross-reactivity of the antibody was as follows: DHEAS, 0.02%; 4-androstene-3,17-dione, 0.46%; and testosterone, 0.03%. Intra-assay variabilities were 2.7–3.8%, and interassay variabilities 3.8–8.6%.

DHEAS samples were also measured at the end of the study in one run. Serum DHEAS was determined by a commercial chemiluminescence immunoassay (Nichols Advantage dehydroepiandrosteronsulfat test of Nichols Institute Diagnostics, Bad Vilbel, Germany). The intra-assay variabilities were 6.7–7.3% depending on different mean concentrations of DHEAS. The interassay variabilities were 6.0–10.0%.

Cross-reactivity of the antibody to DHEA, androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, hydro-cortisoneastrone sulfate and aldosterone sulfate is not measureable; to estronsulfate, it was 0.3%, and to androsterone sulfate 0.4%.

Statistical analyses

All data are reported as mean ± s.e.m. Statistical analysis was performed with StatView 5 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was calculated by means of trapezoidal integration at 60–340 min and expressed as nmol/l per min. Statistical comparisons were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U-test for unpaired samples. Significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results

Baseline DHEA and DHEAS concentrations

Baseline serum DHEA and DHEAS values were not affected by the polymorphism (DHEA: CTC/CTC 43.3 ± 5.2 nmol/l; CCC/CCC 46.1 ± 14.2 nmol/l (Fig. 1); DHEAS: CTC/CTC 11.1 ± 1.3 μmol/l; CCC/CCC 10.7 ± 0.8 μmol/l (data not shown)).

ACTH-stimulated DHEA and DHEAS concentrations

To investigate differences of DHEA levels after ACTH stimulation, a prolonged ACTH stimulation test was performed. DHEA responses in CTC/CTC subjects were higher than those in CCC/CCC subjects (Fig. 2A). At 60 min, DHEA concentrations were 25.0 ± 3.1 nmol/l in CTC/CTC and 14.9 ± 1.4 nmol/l in CCC/CCC subjects, and after 340 min 119.3 ± 14.2 nmol/l and 76.3 ± 6.2 nmol/l respectively. The integrated serum DHEA concentration was 43% higher in CTC/CTC subjects than in CCC/CCC subjects during the 60–340-min interval (P < 0.04, Mann–Whitney U-test) (Fig. 2B).

There was no difference of DHEAS levels in the ACTH stimulation test, probably because of the much longer half-life of DHEAS (data not shown).

Discussion

While the mechanisms of cortisol and aldosterone regulation have been characterized in some detail, the molecular basis of the synthesis of adrenal androgens is not well understood. In many aspects, AA synthesis is unique. For example, in interspecies comparison, significant secretion of AA is a characteristic feature only of nonhuman primates and man. Thus, rodent studies are of limited value concerning AA regulation (9). Furthermore, while glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid levels remain more or less stable throughout human life and are not sex-specific, AA levels change drastically during development and aging and show clear gender differences, with higher circulating levels in men than in women. Besides, in both genders, investigators have noted a broad, probably genetically determined variation in DHEA secretion. It has also been hypothesized that this heterogenity in AA levels is due to a variable response of AA to ACTH stimulation (1, 5, 9).

In our study, subjects homozygous for the CCC polymorphism showed lower DHEA levels after ACTH stimulation than homozygous CTC subjects. Although a variety of factors may modulate AA levels, our data clearly support the hypothesis that – probably among other factors – there is a genetically determined ACTH-dependent variability of adrenal DHEA secretion. As we have demonstrated previously, the described polymorphism within the transcription initiation site of the ACTH receptor promoter results in lower promoter activity in vitro (17). In addition, the impaired cortisol response to ACTH as reported earlier is in line with a lower expression of the ACTH receptor in the adrenal zona fasciculata in vivo (17). The present set of data suggests that the observed ACTH receptor polymorphism also leads to a reduced number of binding sites within the zona reticularis, resulting in a blunted activation of the ACTH-dependent pathway and thus lower DHEA secretion after ACTH stimulation.

Discordances of AA and cortisol secretion by gender, aging and stress response indicate non-ACTH-dependent components of AA regulation. It has been demonstrated that insulin, gonadal androgens, growth hormone, prolactin, CRH and peptides derived from pro-opiomelanocortins other than ACTH are linked to AA secretion. In addition, cytokines and a variety of growth factors also have been shown to play a role in AA regulation, and recent research has focused on intra-adrenal regulatory mechanisms of DHEA secretion (1, 8, 9, 11–15).

Despite the broad spectrum of various AA regulation factors, a single base exchange in the promoter of the ACTH receptor gene results in significantly different DHEA serum levels during ACTH infusion, thus emphasizing the determining role of ACTH in controlling AA production. The differences in DHEA levels in response to ACTH stimulation are already obvious at low stimulating ACTH1-24 doses, indicating that this polymorphism is functionally relevant within normal circadian ACTH concentrations.

Azziz et al. noted that poststimulatory intersubject variance of cortisol is significantly lower than that of DHEA (5). Interestingly, and consistent with the findings of Azziz et al., in our studies, we also observed a greater difference between the different genotypes in DHEA than in cortisol concentrations in response to ACTH. The difference of the integrated serum DHEA concentrations was 43% for the two genotypes investigated in this study (60–340-min interval after initiation of ACTH infusion), whereas the difference in time-integrated cortisol secretion was 26% for the same period of time (17). The extremely sensitive response of DHEA to ACTH stimulation, being more sensitive than either cortisol or aldosterone, has also been noted by Arvat et al. (20). This might amplify the effects of the polymorphism on DHEA secretion and thus be one explanation for greater intersubject variability of DHEA than of cortisol to ACTH (20). The high responsiveness of the reticular adrenal zone to ACTH coincides with clinical experience suggesting that DHEA is a very sensitive marker of ACTH secretion (10).

As expected, we did not find a difference of DHEAS levels in the ACTH stimulation test, probably due to the much longer half-life of DHEAS than DHEA (10, 21). Another reason for the lack of increase of DHEAS in our study may be the initially suppressed levels of DHEA by dexamethasone. If the equilibrium concentration ratio of DHEA to DHEAS is roughly 1:100, any increase of DHEAS has to be preceded by a significant increase of DHEA beyond basal physiologic serum concentrations. These were reached only at the end of our study. Under basal conditions, differences in DHEA values were also not discernible. This is not in contrast to the results during ACTH stimulation, as many factors, including ACTH concentrations, may compensate for differences in ACTH sensitivity under baseline conditions caused by the endogenous ACTH receptor promoter polymorphism. In line with this hypothesis are our data of the CRH stimulation test (17), which showed a compensating higher ACTH response to CRH in CCC/CCC subjects.

In our study, we investigated healthy men in their twenties to early thirties who have DHEA peak values in this period of life. The observed difference in DHEA concentrations between the two genotypes could be less obvious in other age groups. However, as ACTH secretion does not show any significant changes throughout a lifetime, a lowered response to ACTH by the described polymorphism should affect DHEA secretion throughout life. The mechanism responsible for age-related differences in DHEA levels is still unkown, but is per se independent of the described polymorphism.

In conclusion, we describe an ACTH receptor promoter polymorphism (CCC) that results in lower responsiveness of the zona reticularis and, thus, leads to impaired DHEA concentrations to ACTH in young, healthy men. Although a variety of factors contribute to AA regulation, the effects of the ACTH receptor polymorphism might play a key role in the variable response of DHEA to ACTH.

Acknowledgements

We thank Uwe Bochnig and Andreas Rynk for excellent technical assistance, and the blood bank of the University Hospital Freiburg, Germany, for providing the samples for screening investigations. This work was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) to M R.

Figure 1
Figure 1

Mean baseline DHEA levels in homozygous CTC and CCC individuals.

Citation: European Journal of Endocrinology eur j endocrinol 153, 5; 10.1530/eje.1.02015

Figure 2
Figure 2

(A) Mean stimulated serum DHEA concentrations of homozygous CTC and homozygous CCC subjects during hourly doubling ACTH administration (starting dose: 120 ng/m2 body surface area/h) after overnight dexamethasone suppression. This demonstrates lower adrenal responsiveness in individuals with the CCC/CCC genotype. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. (B) Area under the concentration-time curve of DHEA concentration during the ACTH stimulation test for homozygous CTC and homozygous CCC subjects. *P < 0.04.

Citation: European Journal of Endocrinology eur j endocrinol 153, 5; 10.1530/eje.1.02015

References

  • 1↑

    Alesci S, Koch CA, Bornstein SR & Pacak K. Adrenal androgens regulation and adrenopause. Endocrine Regulations 2001 35 95–100.

  • 2↑

    Allolio B & Arlt W. DHEA treatment: myth or reality? Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism 2002 13 288–294.

  • 3↑

    Arlt W, Callies F, Koehler I, Van Vlijmen JC, Fassnacht M, Strasburger CJ, Seibel MJ, Huebler D, Ernst M, Oettel M, Reincke M, Schulte HM & Allolio B. Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in healthy men with an age-related decline of dehydroepiandrosterone secretion. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2001 86 4686–4692.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4↑

    Arlt W, Justl HG, Callies F, Reincke M, Hubler D, Oettel M, Ernst M, Schulte HM & Allolio B. Oral dehydroepiandrosterone for adrenal androgen replacement: pharmacokinetics and peripheral conversion to androgens and estrogens in young healthy females after dexamethasone suppression. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1998 83 1928–1934.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5↑

    Azziz R, Fox LM, Zacur HA, Parker CR Jr & Boots LR. Adrenocortical secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone in healthy women: highly variable response to adrenocorticotropin. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2001 86 2513–2517.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6↑

    Hines GA & Azziz R. Impact of architectural disruption on adrenocortical steroidogenesis in vitro.Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1999 84 1017–1021.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7↑

    Azziz R, Bradley E Jr, Huth J, Boots LR, Parker CR Jr & Zacur HA. Acute adrenocorticotropin-(1–24) (ACTH) adrenal stimulation in eumenorrheic women: reproducibility and effect of ACTH dose, subject weight, and sampling time. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1990 70 1273–1279.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8↑

    Rainey WE, Carr BR, Sasano H, Suzuki T & Mason JI. Dissecting human adrenal androgen production. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism 2002 13 234–239.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9↑

    Parker CR. Normal regulation of adrenal androgen production. In Androgen Excess Disorders in Women, pp 23–35. Eds R Azziz, JE Nestler & D Dewailly. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1997.

  • 10↑

    Orth DN & Kovacs WJ. The adrenal cortex. In Williams’ Textbook of Endocrinology, pp 517–664. Eds JD Wilson, DW Foster, HM Kronenberg & PR Larsen. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1998.

  • 11↑

    Marx C, Bornstein SR & Wolkersdorfer GW. Cellular immune-endocrine interaction in adrenocortical tissues. European Journal of Clinical Investigation 2000; 30 : (Suppl 3) 1–5.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12

    L’Allemand D & Biason-Lauber A. Intra-adrenal regulation of androgen synthesis. European Journal of Clinical Investigation 2000; 30 : (Suppl 3) 28–33.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13

    Jimenez P, Saner K, Mayhew B & Rainey WE. GATA-6 is expressed in the human adrenal and regulates transcription of genes required for adrenal androgen biosynthesis. Endocrinology 2003 144 4285–4288.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14

    Sirianni R, Carr BR, Ando S & Rainey WE. Inhibition of Src tyrosine kinase stimulates adrenal androgen production. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 2003 30 287–299.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15↑

    Alesci S & Bornstein SR. Intraadrenal mechanisms of DHEA regulation: a hypothesis for adrenopause. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes 2001 109 75–82.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16↑

    Cutler GB Jr, Davis SE, Johnsonbaugh RE & Loriaux DL. Dissociation of cortisol and adrenal androgen secretion in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1979 49 604–609.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17↑

    Slawik M, Reisch N, Zwermann O, Maser-Gluth C, Stahl M, Klink A, Reincke M & Beuschlein F. Characterization of an adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) receptor promoter polymorphism leading to decreased adrenal responsiveness to ACTH. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2004 89 3131–3137.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18↑

    Komindr S, Kurtz BR, Stevens MD, Karas JG, Bittle JB & Givens JR. Relative sensitivity and responsivity of serum cortisol and two adrenal androgens to alpha-adrenocorticotropin-(1–24) in normal and obese, nonhirsute, eumenorrheic women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1986 63 860–864.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 19↑

    Slayden SM, Crabbe L, Bae S, Potter HD, Azziz R & Parker CR Jr. The effect of 17 beta-estradiol on adrenocortical sensitivity, responsiveness, and steroidogenesis in postmenopausal women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1998 83 519–524.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20↑

    Arvat E, Di Vito L, Lanfranco F, Maccario M, Baffoni C, Rossetto R, Aimaretti G, Camanni F & Ghigo E. Stimulatory effect of adrenocorticotropin on cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone secretion in normal humans: dose–response study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2000 85 3141–3146.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21↑

    Bridges NA, Hindmarsh PC, Pringle PJ, Honour JW & Brook CG. Cortisol, androstenedione (A4), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) responses to low doses of (1–24) ACTH. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1998 83 3750–3753.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

EJE is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.

The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.

More information is on the Reasons to publish page.

Sept 2018 onwards Past Year Past 30 Days
Full Text Views 165 157 4
PDF Downloads 63 61 1

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand
Print ISSN:
0804-4643
Online ISSN:
1479-683X

     European Society of Endocrinology

Copyright:
© 2005 Society of the European Journal of Endocrinology 2005
Page(s):
5
Article Type:
Other
Received Date:
07 Mar 2005
Accepted Date:
28 Jul 2005
Print Publication Date:
01 Nov 2005
Online Publication Date:
Nov 2005
Sept 2018 onwards Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 165 157 4
PDF Downloads 63 61 1
  • View in gallery

    Mean baseline DHEA levels in homozygous CTC and CCC individuals.

  • View in gallery

    (A) Mean stimulated serum DHEA concentrations of homozygous CTC and homozygous CCC subjects during hourly doubling ACTH administration (starting dose: 120 ng/m2 body surface area/h) after overnight dexamethasone suppression. This demonstrates lower adrenal responsiveness in individuals with the CCC/CCC genotype. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. (B) Area under the concentration-time curve of DHEA concentration during the ACTH stimulation test for homozygous CTC and homozygous CCC subjects. *P < 0.04.

Mean baseline DHEA levels in homozygous CTC and CCC individuals.

(A) Mean stimulated serum DHEA concentrations of homozygous CTC and homozygous CCC subjects during hourly doubling ACTH administration (starting dose: 120 ng/m2 body surface area/h) after overnight dexamethasone suppression. This demonstrates lower adrenal responsiveness in individuals with the CCC/CCC genotype. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. (B) Area under the concentration-time curve of DHEA concentration during the ACTH stimulation test for homozygous CTC and homozygous CCC subjects. *P < 0.04.
  • 1

    Alesci S, Koch CA, Bornstein SR & Pacak K. Adrenal androgens regulation and adrenopause. Endocrine Regulations 2001 35 95–100.

  • 2

    Allolio B & Arlt W. DHEA treatment: myth or reality? Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism 2002 13 288–294.

  • 3

    Arlt W, Callies F, Koehler I, Van Vlijmen JC, Fassnacht M, Strasburger CJ, Seibel MJ, Huebler D, Ernst M, Oettel M, Reincke M, Schulte HM & Allolio B. Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in healthy men with an age-related decline of dehydroepiandrosterone secretion. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2001 86 4686–4692.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4

    Arlt W, Justl HG, Callies F, Reincke M, Hubler D, Oettel M, Ernst M, Schulte HM & Allolio B. Oral dehydroepiandrosterone for adrenal androgen replacement: pharmacokinetics and peripheral conversion to androgens and estrogens in young healthy females after dexamethasone suppression. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1998 83 1928–1934.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5

    Azziz R, Fox LM, Zacur HA, Parker CR Jr & Boots LR. Adrenocortical secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone in healthy women: highly variable response to adrenocorticotropin. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2001 86 2513–2517.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6

    Hines GA & Azziz R. Impact of architectural disruption on adrenocortical steroidogenesis in vitro.Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1999 84 1017–1021.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7

    Azziz R, Bradley E Jr, Huth J, Boots LR, Parker CR Jr & Zacur HA. Acute adrenocorticotropin-(1–24) (ACTH) adrenal stimulation in eumenorrheic women: reproducibility and effect of ACTH dose, subject weight, and sampling time. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1990 70 1273–1279.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8

    Rainey WE, Carr BR, Sasano H, Suzuki T & Mason JI. Dissecting human adrenal androgen production. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism 2002 13 234–239.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9

    Parker CR. Normal regulation of adrenal androgen production. In Androgen Excess Disorders in Women, pp 23–35. Eds R Azziz, JE Nestler & D Dewailly. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1997.

  • 10

    Orth DN & Kovacs WJ. The adrenal cortex. In Williams’ Textbook of Endocrinology, pp 517–664. Eds JD Wilson, DW Foster, HM Kronenberg & PR Larsen. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1998.

  • 11

    Marx C, Bornstein SR & Wolkersdorfer GW. Cellular immune-endocrine interaction in adrenocortical tissues. European Journal of Clinical Investigation 2000; 30 : (Suppl 3) 1–5.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12

    L’Allemand D & Biason-Lauber A. Intra-adrenal regulation of androgen synthesis. European Journal of Clinical Investigation 2000; 30 : (Suppl 3) 28–33.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13

    Jimenez P, Saner K, Mayhew B & Rainey WE. GATA-6 is expressed in the human adrenal and regulates transcription of genes required for adrenal androgen biosynthesis. Endocrinology 2003 144 4285–4288.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14

    Sirianni R, Carr BR, Ando S & Rainey WE. Inhibition of Src tyrosine kinase stimulates adrenal androgen production. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 2003 30 287–299.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15

    Alesci S & Bornstein SR. Intraadrenal mechanisms of DHEA regulation: a hypothesis for adrenopause. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes 2001 109 75–82.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16

    Cutler GB Jr, Davis SE, Johnsonbaugh RE & Loriaux DL. Dissociation of cortisol and adrenal androgen secretion in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1979 49 604–609.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17

    Slawik M, Reisch N, Zwermann O, Maser-Gluth C, Stahl M, Klink A, Reincke M & Beuschlein F. Characterization of an adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) receptor promoter polymorphism leading to decreased adrenal responsiveness to ACTH. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2004 89 3131–3137.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18

    Komindr S, Kurtz BR, Stevens MD, Karas JG, Bittle JB & Givens JR. Relative sensitivity and responsivity of serum cortisol and two adrenal androgens to alpha-adrenocorticotropin-(1–24) in normal and obese, nonhirsute, eumenorrheic women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1986 63 860–864.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 19

    Slayden SM, Crabbe L, Bae S, Potter HD, Azziz R & Parker CR Jr. The effect of 17 beta-estradiol on adrenocortical sensitivity, responsiveness, and steroidogenesis in postmenopausal women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1998 83 519–524.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20

    Arvat E, Di Vito L, Lanfranco F, Maccario M, Baffoni C, Rossetto R, Aimaretti G, Camanni F & Ghigo E. Stimulatory effect of adrenocorticotropin on cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone secretion in normal humans: dose–response study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2000 85 3141–3146.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21

    Bridges NA, Hindmarsh PC, Pringle PJ, Honour JW & Brook CG. Cortisol, androstenedione (A4), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) responses to low doses of (1–24) ACTH. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1998 83 3750–3753.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation