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Lookup NU author(s): Dr David Woods
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Gradual ascent to high altitude is typically associated with reduced resting aldosterone and unchanged cortisol, features that may facilitate acclimatization but are poorly understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the cortisol and aldosterone response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone at altitude. Eleven subjects underwent a 250g short synacthen test at sea-level and again after trekking to 3600m in Nepal. Cortisol and aldosterone were measured by conventional assay from blood samples taken immediately prior to the administration of synacthen (T0) and then 30 (T30) and 60 (T60) min later. At 3600m resting basal cortisol and aldosterone levels were both significantly lower than they were at sea-level (p=0.004, p=0.003, respectively). Cortisol values at T30 and T60 were not different between sea-level and 3600m but the increment after synacthen was significantly greater (p=0.041) at 3600m due to a lower basal value. Aldosterone at T30 and T60 was significantly lower (p=0.003 for both) at 3600m than at sea-level and the increment following synacthen was also significantly less (p=0.003) at 3600m. At 3600m there appears to be a divergent adrenal response to synthetic adrenocorticotrophic hormone with an intact cortisol response but a reduced aldosterone response, relative to sea-level. This may reflect a specific effect of hypoxia on aldosterone synthesis and may be beneficial to acclimatization.
Author(s): Mackey J, Mellor A, Watchorn J, Burnett A, Boot C, Woods D
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Hormone and Metabolic Research
Year: 2016
Volume: 48
Issue: 10
Pages: 658-663
Print publication date: 01/09/2016
Acceptance date: 01/01/1900
ISSN (print): 0018-5043
ISSN (electronic): 1439-4286
Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-112816
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-112816
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