An assessment of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning in non-depressed, early abstinent alcoholics

摘要: Chronic alcohol consumption has been shown to be associated with abnormalities in the regulation of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis humans. However, conflicting data exist literature, particular regard studies performed actively drinking or withdrawn alcoholics; addition, frequent presence depressive disturbances such patients may importantly affect neuroendocrine findings. In this study, we investigated HPA function 12 male alcoholics, whom depression and other possible confounding factors was excluded, during first second weeks after cessation ethanol intake. The plasma corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH) cortisol levels response both a stimulation test human corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH; 100 micrograms IV) an insulin (0.15 UI/kg IV)-induced hypoglycaemia (ITT) were measured; standard overnight dexamethasone (1 mg) suppression (DST) also tested. While mean baseline ACTH levels, measured morning (0800-0830 h), not different from those controls, responses CRH markedly reduced (area secretion p < .01 .05, compared controls). Similarly, patient group showed almost absent release following infusion either case). four patients, non-suppression seen on DST, but no significant difference normal suppressors noted as far clinical features concerned. These findings suggest that impaired hypothalamic pituitary responsiveness, unrelated disturbances, occurs recently chronic alcoholics. influence withdrawal syndrome should taken into account, pattern due increased activity axis, even face preserved basal adrenal secretion. Whether these reflect direct effect sustained exposure components non-specific marker adaptation deserves further investigation.