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Horm Metab Res 2016; 48(10): 658-663
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-112816
Endocrine Care
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Adrenocortical Response to Synthetic ACTH Following a Trek to High Altitude

J. Mackey
1   Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
,
A. Mellor
2   Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
3   School of Sport, Carnegie Faculty, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
4   James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
,
J. Watchorn
5   Intensive Care Department, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK
,
A. Burnett
6   Blood Sciences, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, UK
,
C. Boot
6   Blood Sciences, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, UK
,
D. Woods
2   Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
3   School of Sport, Carnegie Faculty, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
7   Northumbria NHS Trust and Newcastle NHS Trust, Northumberland, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 30 April 2016

accepted 14 July 2016

Publication Date:
19 September 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Gradual ascent to high altitude is typically associated with reduced resting aldosterone and unchanged cortisol, features that may facilitate acclimatization but are poorly understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the cortisol and aldosterone response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone at altitude. Eleven subjects underwent a 250 μg short synacthen test at sea-level and again after trekking to 3 600 m in Nepal. Cortisol and aldosterone were measured by conventional assay from blood samples taken immediately prior to the administration of synacthen (T0) and then 30 (T30) and 60 (T60) min later. At 3 600 m resting basal cortisol and aldosterone levels were both significantly lower than they were at sea-level (p=0.004, p=0.003, respectively). Cortisol values at T30 and T60 were not different between sea-level and 3 600 m but the increment after synacthen was significantly greater (p=0.041) at 3 600 m due to a lower basal value. Aldosterone at T30 and T60 was significantly lower (p=0.003 for both) at 3 600 m than at sea-level and the increment following synacthen was also significantly less (p=0.003) at 3 600 m. At 3 600 m there appears to be a divergent adrenal response to synthetic adrenocorticotrophic hormone with an intact cortisol response but a reduced aldosterone response, relative to sea-level. This may reflect a specific effect of hypoxia on aldosterone synthesis and may be beneficial to acclimatization.

Key words

high altitude - hypoxia - cortisol - aldosterone - synacthen - ACTH
 

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