Changes of Acute Phase Protein Levels in Patients with Central Hypercortisolism

Overview

Background.
Acute phase protein reaction depends on complex interaction of proinflammatory cytokines andhormones, especially glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are essential factors for hepatocellular microenvironment andproteosynthesis during both rest and inflammatory period. Cushing’s disease represents a model of glucocorticoidhyperstimulation of acute phase protein synthesis without interleukin-6 and other cytokine influence.Methods and Results. 20 patients (age of 38±11, 11 males, 9 females) with a diagnosis of central hypercorticolismwere examined. Plasma levels of 11 acute phase proteins were estimated. These results were compared with plasmaACTH, interleukin-6, and U-cortisol concentrations and correlated to the control group (healthy volunteers, age30±5, 13 males, 7 females). Plasma levels of albumin and prealbumin in patients with Cusing’s disease weresignificantly lower. We proved significant elevation of alpha 1 -acid glycoprotein, haemopexin, and fibrinogencompared with healthy subjects. The positive correlation of alpha 1 -acid glycoprotein and U-cortisol (r=0.51, p

Key words:
Cushing’s syndrome, interleukin 6, cortisol, acute phase proteins.