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KURU : THE ENDOCRINE STATUS
Author(s) -
BUTTFIELD I. H.,
HETZEL B. S.,
HORNABROOK R. W.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
australasian annals of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0571-9283
DOI - 10.1111/imj.1968.17.1.20
Subject(s) - kuru , urine , endocrinology , endocrine system , medicine , thyroid , excretion , thyroid function , physiology , hormone , scrapie , prion protein , disease
SUMMARY Investigations of thyroid and adrenal cortical function have been carried out on subjects suffering from kuru in the Australian‐administered Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Determinations of radioiodine uptake at 24 hours by 15 subjects revealed a level of 66±12% compared to one of 65±12% for 24 control subjects. These findings are consistent with the wide prevalence of iodine deficiency in the New Guinea highlands. Determinations of plasma protein bound iodine levels revealed levels of 6·4±2·2 µg. per 100 ml. in nine subjects with kuru and 5·1±0·1 µg. per 100 ml. in seven control subjects. Determinations of plasma cortisol levels revealed a normal figure of 15·7±6·1 µg. per 100 ml. in 13 subjects with kuru, while 15 control subjects showed an elevation of cortisol levels‐24·1±5·4 µg. per 100 ml.—probably as a result of stress. Determinations of urine levels of 17‐oxosteroid gave figures of 6·2±2·2 mg. per day in 10 subjects with kuru, and of 5·4±2·2 mg. per day in seven control subjects ; the urine levels of 17‐oxogenic steroids were respectively 8·3±6·7 mg. per day and 9·0±4·0 mg. per day. Determinations of the response to metyrapone revealed no difference between subjects with kuru and control subjects. The results of a water excretion test were also normal in four subjects with kuru. It is concluded that both thyroid and adrenal cortical function are normal in kuru.