No Major Effect of Orciprenaline and Propranolol upon ACTH-Induced Cortisol Secretion

Abstract

Preclinical research suggests adrenal β-adrenergic receptors to be involved in the regulation of steroid synthesis. In a group of healthy male volunteers, we compared ACTH-induced cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion after pre-treatment with orciprenaline, propranolol or placebo. Neither baseline nor ACTH-induced steroid secretion differed between these conditions. Our data do not support the hypothesis that the adrenal β-receptor plays a major role in steroid secretion in humans.

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