No major effect of orciprenaline and propranolol upon ACTH-induced cortisol secretion.

Author(s): Nonell A, Kerk S, Lederbogen F, Kopf D, Hamann B, Lewicka S, Deuschle M

Affiliation(s): Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.

Publication date & source: 2004-01, Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes., 112(1):59-61.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Preclinical research suggests adrenal beta-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 beta-receptor plays a major role in steroid secretion in humans.