Biomaterial Database

Oxytocin reduces metyrapone-induced ACTH secretion in human subjects. 1987

P Chiodera, and V Coiro

Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Università di Parma, Italy.

The inhibitory action of oxytocin (OT) on adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion has been disputed. Thus we evaluated the effect of exogenous OT on the elevated blood ACTH levels in normal human subjects. Metyrapone, a blocker of cortisol secretion, was given to enhance ACTH release. This experimental model was chosen because metyrapone-induced ACTH activation depends on diminution of the negative feed-back of cortisol, which is an important physiological mechanism in the control of ACTH secretion. A striking decline in plasma cortisol levels and a 10-fold rise in the mean plasma ACTH concentration was observed within 20 h after the beginning of metyrapone treatment (750 mg orally every 4 h). The administration of OT (2 IU as a i.v. bolus plus 4 IU infused in 2 h) significantly reduced the metyrapone-induced plasma ACTH rise. Since the effect of OT was evident when ACTH secretion was enhanced by a reduced cortisol-dependent negative feed-back, confirmation of the inhibitory action of OT on the ACTH secretory system in man is provided.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007030	Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System	A collection of NEURONS, tracts of NERVE FIBERS, endocrine tissue, and blood vessels in the HYPOTHALAMUS and the PITUITARY GLAND. This hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal circulation provides the mechanism for hypothalamic neuroendocrine (HYPOTHALAMIC HORMONES) regulation of pituitary function and the release of various PITUITARY HORMONES into the systemic circulation to maintain HOMEOSTASIS.	Hypothalamic Hypophyseal System,Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis,Hypophyseal Portal System,Hypothalamic-Pituitary Unit,Hypothalamic Hypophyseal Systems,Hypothalamic Pituitary Unit,Hypothalamo Hypophyseal System,Hypothalamo Pituitary Adrenal Axis,Portal System, Hypophyseal
D008297	Male		Males
D008797	Metyrapone	An inhibitor of the enzyme STEROID 11-BETA-MONOOXYGENASE. It is used as a test of the feedback hypothalamic-pituitary mechanism in the diagnosis of CUSHING SYNDROME.	Methbipyranone,Methopyrapone,Metopiron,Metopirone,Métopirone,SU 4885
D010121	Oxytocin	A nonapeptide hormone released from the neurohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, POSTERIOR). It differs from VASOPRESSIN by two amino acids at residues 3 and 8. Oxytocin acts on SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS, such as causing UTERINE CONTRACTIONS and MILK EJECTION.	Ocytocin,Pitocin,Syntocinon
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000324	Adrenocorticotropic Hormone	An anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the ADRENAL CORTEX and its production of CORTICOSTEROIDS. ACTH is a 39-amino acid polypeptide of which the N-terminal 24-amino acid segment is identical in all species and contains the adrenocorticotrophic activity. Upon further tissue-specific processing, ACTH can yield ALPHA-MSH and corticotrophin-like intermediate lobe peptide (CLIP).	ACTH,Adrenocorticotropin,Corticotropin,1-39 ACTH,ACTH (1-39),Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone,Corticotrophin,Corticotrophin (1-39),Corticotropin (1-39),Hormone, Adrenocorticotrophic,Hormone, Adrenocorticotropic
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults