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Effect of lithium on plasma cortisol and adrenal response to adrenocorticotropin in man
Author(s) -
Halmi Katherine A.,
Noyes Russell,
Millard Sara A.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt1972135part1699
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , lithium (medication) , placebo , circadian rhythm , morning , dexamethasone , hydrocortisone , cortisol awakening response , adrenal cortex , glucocorticoid , adrenocorticotropic hormone , hormone , alternative medicine , pathology
In male volunteers the circadian variation of serum cortisol was smaller while the men were receiving lithium (serum levels 0.60 to 0.86 mEq. per liter) than when they were given placebo. The difference was due to lower morning serum cortisol levels. In another group of volunteers, secretion of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), hence of cortisol, was completely suppressed with dexamethasone while the men were receiving placebo and again during a perior of lithium medication. When synthetic ACTH was injected after dexamethasone, the rise in serum cortisol was the same in men on placebo and on lithium. It is suggested that the blunting of the circadian fluctuation of serum cortisolleve/s by lithium is due to alte1'ed secretion of ACTH rather than diminished responsiveness of the adrenal cortex to tmpic hormone.