cholecalciferol and Pituitary-ACTH-Hypersecretion

Background: The primary objective of the study was to assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] values in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD), compared to controls. The secondary objective was to assess the response to a load of 150,000 U of cholecalciferol. Methods: In 50 patients with active CD and 48 controls, we evaluated the anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including insulin sensitivity estimation by the homeostatic model of insulin resistance, Matsuda Index and oral disposition index at baseline and in patients with CD also after 6 weeks of cholecalciferol supplementation. Results: At baseline, patients with CD showed a higher frequency of hypovitaminosis deficiency (p = 0.001) and lower serum 25(OH)D (p < 0.001) than the controls. Six weeks after cholecalciferol treatment, patients with CD had increased serum calcium (p = 0.017), 25(OH)D (p < 0.001), ISI-Matsuda (p = 0.035), oral disposition index (p = 0.045) and decreased serum PTH (p = 0.004) and total cholesterol (p = 0.017) values than at baseline. Multivariate analysis showed that mean urinary free cortisol (mUFC) was independently negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D in CD. Conclusions: Serum 25(OH)D levels are lower in patients with CD compared to the controls. Vitamin D deficiency is correlated with mUFC and values of mUFC > 240 nmol/24 h are associated with hypovitaminosis D. Cholecalciferol supplementation had a positive impact on insulin sensitivity and lipids.

Topics: Cholecalciferol; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion; Rickets; Vitamin D Deficiency

A 28-year-old woman was referred to hospital with a spontaneous femoral neck fracture. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry showed severe osteoporosis without apparent cause or risk factors. The basic endocrinologic evaluation revealed hypercortisolism, and the diagnosis of Cushing's disease could be made following biochemical test and magnetic resonance imaging. A transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary gland tumor was performed and led to a cure of the disease. The patient received calcium and vitamin D substitution as well as biphosphonates.. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is the most frequent cause of secondary osteoporosis. Only few cases with occult endogenous Cushing's syndrome and osteoporosis as the main manifestation of the disease have been reported. Nevertheless, hypercortisolism should be excluded whenever osteoporosis without apparent cause is diagnosed.

Topics: ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma; Adult; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Calcium; Cholecalciferol; Combined Modality Therapy; Cushing Syndrome; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Femoral Neck Fractures; Fractures, Spontaneous; Humans; Hypophysectomy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Osteoporosis; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion; Pituitary Function Tests; Pituitary Neoplasms