Cortisol feedback effects on plasma corticotropin levels in healthy subjects.

Overview

An abnormality of rapid cortisol feedback on activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis has been reported in depression. However, there is controversy regarding the existence of rapid cortisol feedback on corticotropin (ACTH) secretion in humans. We investigated the effects of cortisol on ACTH levels in healthy subjects using a placebo-controlled, double blind, random assignment, cross-over design. Ten medication-free volunteers with no psychiatric history and no active medical problems underwent a standard protocol on two occasions separated by at least 2 weeks. Each time, subjects were admitted to a General Clinical Research Center and had infusion of 15 mg cortisol (hydrocortisone sodium succinate) over 120 min or placebo. Serum levels of cortisol and plasma ACTH levels were determined at baseline and over the 4 h after the start of the infusion. Over the two GCRC admissions subjects received both cortisol and placebo infusions, and the order of the two infusions was randomized. Compared to placebo, cortisol infusion produced a significant decrease in plasma ACTH levels beginning within 60 min from the start of the infusion. We conclude that cortisol infusion produces early inhibition of ACTH secretion in normal humans.