cosyntropin and Lung-Diseases--Obstructive

106 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases were divided into two groups, 53 cases treated with Shou Er Kang (SEK) pill (Kidney-reinforcing regimen) and high dose beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler, and 53 cases in the control group with high dose beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol alone. 64 patients were suffering from bronchial asthma and 42 patients from asthmatic bronchitis, sufficiently severe to be treated with inhaled corticosteroids. The results showed that the total effective rate was 100% and 96.9% in asthmatic patients of both groups; the total effective rates for asthmatic bronchitis patients were 85.7% in the SEK group and 52.4% in the control group. The Synacthen test showed that after the treatment, the adrenal cortex reserve power and secretive ability of the SEK group not only was intact but also improved markedly under high dose exogenous steroids. The adrenocortical secretive ability and reserve power of the control group were damaged with the inhalation of the newer steroids. The difference between the two groups was very significant (P less than 0.001); the relapse rate in the SEK group was 26.9%, but 40% in the control group. The results suggested that there were some occult disorders in COPD patients, especially asthmatic bronchitis patients at different levels on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

Topics: Adult; Aerosols; Aged; Beclomethasone; Cosyntropin; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Male; Middle Aged

The hydrocortisone and ACTH blood levels, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids urine excretion and suprarenal function stimulation with Synacthen were studied in 22 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 12 healthy persons as controls. The results show the presence of reliably higher hydrocortisone and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids levels in patients with low partial oxygen pressure as well as a higher ACTH plasma level and a strong Synacthen stimulation. After a comprehensive treatment including oxygen therapy the blood concentrations of hydrocortisone, ACTH, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids fell to levels found in healthy persons. The study shows that hypoxemia stimulates the suprarenal-cortex secretion.

Topics: 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; Adrenal Cortex Function Tests; Adrenal Glands; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Cosyntropin; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Respiratory Insufficiency

The difficulties of long term treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease demand knowledge and use of every reasonable therapeutic regimen. In this study effectivity and side effects of Depot-ACTH (Tetracosactid) are presented. The main indications for the use of Depot-ACTH seem to be the uneffectiveness of usual therapy and the attempt of avoiding or reducing corticosteroids. The study confirms the excellent usefulness of Depot-ACTH which did not diminish during long-term application. The side effects are rare and mostly inferior. Only allergic reactions may be serious and must be accounted for.

Topics: Adolescent; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; Aged; Asthma; Child; Cosyntropin; Diabetes Complications; Drug Hypersensitivity; Edema; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Male; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pulmonary Emphysema; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary