ABSTRACT Objective The enzymatic activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (11β-HSD2) is key to protecting mineral corticoid receptors from cortisol and has been implicated in blood pressure regulation. Grapefruit juice (GFJ) and acidity are thought to inhibit this enzyme in vitro. This study examines the effect of GFJ and intense exercise on 11β-HSD2 enzyme activity in vivo. Subjects and methods Eighteen subjects ingested GFJ or apple juice (CON) on separate days prior to reporting to the laboratory in a randomized order. Saliva […]

Hospitalization and sickness are known as possible interference factors on the neuroendocrine (pituitary-adrenal) response to stimulation tests. To evaluate this response, we studied 11 hospitalized children (mean age: 5.4 ± 3.3 years). The stimuluation test using ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH; 1 ±g/kg) was performed at 8:00 am. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 90 min after CRH injection, to measure ACTH and cortisol. No adverse effect related to the use of CRH was observed. Basal levels of […]

Existem homens não idosos com disfunção sexual que apresentam níveis subnormais de testosterona sérica e níveis normais ou baixos de prolactina e gonadotropinas, sem anormalidade anatômica demonstrável em hipófise ou hipotálamo. Esta situação é considerada uma forma de hipogonadismo hipogonadotrópico idiopático, possivelmente de origem hipotalâmica. Estamos apresentando e discutindo o quadro clínico de dois pacientes com uma disfunção similar, nos quais a disfunção sexual precedeu o aparecimento do hipoandrogenismo. Nossa conclusão é que o hipoandrogenismo foi conseqüência de um distúrbio […]