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Interaction of cortisol and epinephrine in the regulation of leucine kinetics in man

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Summary

To assess the interaction of the two major stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol in the regulation of leucine kinetics in man, epinephrine (50 ng/kg/min) was infused either alone or in combination with cortisol (2 μg/kg/min) into two groups of 6 postabsorptive normal male subjects during 180 min. Plasma leucine concentrations decreased by 28% (p<0.05) from baseline during epinephrine treatment (plasma levels 515 pg/ml); this was due to a decrease of leucine appearance (determined by 1-13C-leucine infusions) by 23% (p<0.025); leucine oxidation decreased by 29% (p<0.05). However, when plasma cortisol concentrations were elevated to supraphysiological levels (16.3 μmol/l) during epinephrine administration, the decreases of leucine plasma concentrations, appearance and oxidation were abolished. Plasma glucose and FFA concentrations were similarly elevated during both kinds of treatment. Since leucine appearance represents a measurement of total body protein breakdown and leucine disappearance into non-oxidative pathways reflects protein synthesis, the data indicate that plasma epinephrine concentrations during severe stress exert a protein anabolic effect in man which may counteract catabolic properties of elevated plasma cortisol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Basel, Lausanne, Switzerland

    E. Straumann, U. Keller, M. Kraenzlin & W. Stauffacher

  2. Division of Pneumology, Department of Medicine, University of Basel, Lausanne, Switzerland

    A. Perruchoud

  3. Division of Children’s Hospital, University of Basel, Lausanne, Switzerland

    J. Girard

  4. Nestec SA, Lausanne, Switzerland

    A. Thélin & M. Arnaud

Authors
  1. E. Straumann
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  2. U. Keller
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  3. M. Kraenzlin
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  4. J. Girard
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  5. A. Thélin
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  6. M. Arnaud
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  7. A. Perruchoud
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  8. W. Stauffacher
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Straumann, E., Keller, U., Kraenzlin, M. et al. Interaction of cortisol and epinephrine in the regulation of leucine kinetics in man. Experientia 44, 176–178 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01952207

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01952207

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