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Circulating endogenous digitalis-like factor(s) (EDLF) in man is derived from the adrenals and its secretion is ACTH-dependent

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Abstract

Adrenal origin and ACTH-dependent secretion of endogenous digitalis-like factor(s) (EDLF) was investigated. Twelve normal weight normotensive subjects (normal group) and 10 patients with Addison’s disease (Addison group) were subjected to prolonged ACTH stimulation with 1 mg tetracosactin-depot im. Blood sampling was at 0 and 240 min. Digitalis-like reactivity was monitored in plasma extracts (combined organic solvent solid phase method) by digoxin and ouabain radioimmunoassay (RIAD and RIAO, respectively). 3H-ouabain concentration on erythrocytes (OBS) was also determined. Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition by normal plasma extract was tested by measuring Vmax and Km of 86Rb+-transport into human erythrocytes. In the normal group basal median plasma concentrations RIAD (0.07 nmol/l) and RIAO (0.89 nmol/l) increased significantly after ACTH administration (median 0.31 and 1.83, respectively; Wilcoxon, p<0.01). In contrast, in the Addison group no plasma RIAD and RIAO reactivity was detected before or after ACTH administration with minor exceptions. The OBS remained unchanged in the Addison group at 0 and 240 min; in the normal group there was a significant decline at 240 min (Wilcoxon, p<0.05) implying increase in circulating EDLF after ACTH stimulation. In the 86Rb+-transport experiments, 2 nmol/l ouabain or 2 nmol/l plasma-extracted ouabain reactivity both significantly impaired substrate affinity equally increasing Km without affecting Vmax. In men, the adrenals may produce and secrete EDLF, whose secretion appears to be ACTH-dependent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Athens, Vas. Sofias 82, 115 28, Athens, Greece

    A. Sophocleous

  2. 1st Endocrine Section, Department of Internal Medicine, “Alexandra” University Hospital, Athens, Greece

    I. Elmatzoglou & A. Souvatzoglou

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  1. A. Sophocleous
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  2. I. Elmatzoglou
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  3. A. Souvatzoglou
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Correspondence to A. Sophocleous.

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Sophocleous, A., Elmatzoglou, I. & Souvatzoglou, A. Circulating endogenous digitalis-like factor(s) (EDLF) in man is derived from the adrenals and its secretion is ACTH-dependent. J Endocrinol Invest 26, 668–674 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03347027

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