Alprazolam attenuates vasopressin-stimulated adrenocorticotropin and cortisol release: evidence for synergy between vasopressin and corticotropin-releasing hormone in humans

Plain-language guide to PMID 8027217 (1994): double-blind randomized controlled trial study of ACTH (Corticotropin) and CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone).

Key Facts

PMID: 8027217
Journal: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Year: 1994
Study type: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Torpy DJ et al. (6 authors)
DOI: 10.1210/jcem.79.1.8027217

What This Study Did, in Plain Language

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of ACTH (Corticotropin) and CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone), published as a randomized controlled trial.

Alprazolam (APZ), a triazolobenzodiazepine with unique clinical utility, has potent inhibitory effects on the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Because APZ inhibits CRH secretion from isolated rat hypothalami and inhibits the probable CRH-mediated effect of naloxone on ACTH release, it is likely APZ acts as an inhibitor of hypothalamic CRH release in humans.

Who Took Part

PubMed indexes the participants as adults, both men and women.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study.

The participants were allocated by chance, so the ACTH (Corticotropin) group and the comparison group should start out alike.

Blinding on both sides kept the participants and researchers unaware of who received ACTH (Corticotropin).

A placebo (an inactive look-alike) gave the ACTH (Corticotropin) group a baseline to be compared against.

ACTH and cortisol levels were measured at frequent intervals from 60 min before to 120 min after AVP injection.

What Was Measured

The subject headings attached to it are Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Alprazolam, Arginine Vasopressin, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, Drug Synergism and Hydrocortisone.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of ACTH (Corticotropin) and CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone).

The publication is from 1994 (The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism), a journal based in United States.

More context: the ACTH (Corticotropin) compound page and the CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone) compound page, all human trials.

Our Notes on the Compounds

ACTH (Corticotropin): The 39-amino-acid pituitary hormone that drives cortisol production; given as repository corticotropin (Acthar Gel).

CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone): The 41-amino-acid hypothalamic hormone that triggers ACTH release; corticorelin is used diagnostically.

Vasopressin: A 9-amino-acid hormone (antidiuretic hormone) that controls water balance and blood vessel tone; used in septic shock.

Source: PubMed record. This explanation is written by PeptideWhiz from the public record. For research and education only. Not medical advice; no dosing information is given.