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  • Title: Stimulatory effect of oCRH on alpha-subunit secretion during petrosal sinus sampling in patients with Cushing's disease.
    Author: Vignati F, Berselli ME, Boccardi E, Branca V, Loli P.
    Journal: Horm Metab Res; 1992 Nov; 24(11):524-7. PubMed ID: 1280612.
    Abstract:
    During bilateral and simultaneous venous sampling of the inferior petrosal sinuses for preoperative localization of ACTH secreting microadenomas, alpha-subunit levels, in addition to ACTH, were determined in 9 patients with Cushing's disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible occurrence of unilateral increases of alpha-subunit in basal conditions and the alpha-subunit responsiveness to oCRH. All the patients examined showed a central to peripheral and an intersinus gradient of ACTH concentrations before and/or after oCRH stimulation. Seven patients showed a central to peripheral alpha-subunit gradient in basal conditions. Lateralization of alpha-subunit concentrations was recorded in 4 patients in basal conditions (intersinus gradient > or = 1.55) and paralleled the side with the highest ACTH concentrations. After oCRH stimulation all but one patient showed a unilateral alpha-subunit increase in blood from the inferior petrosal sinus with the highest oCRH stimulated ACTH increase. The present data confirm the occurrence of an increase of alpha-subunit concentration in response to nonspecific stimulation with exogenously administered oCRH, concurrent with an ipsilateral increase of ACTH levels. The mechanism underlying this finding is still unclear, although a paracrine effect from the corticotroph tumour on adjacent pituitary tissue seems so far the most likely explanation.
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