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Higher hydrocortisone dose increases bilirubin in hypopituitary patients- results from an RCT.


ABSTRACT:

Background

Bilirubin has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain its proposed protective effects on the development of cardiometabolic disorders. Glucocorticoids affect heme oxygenase regulation in vitro, which plays a key role in bilirubin production. Effects of variations in glucocorticoid exposure on circulating bilirubin levels in humans are unknown. Here we tested whether a higher hydrocortisone replacement dose affects circulating bilirubin in hypopituitary patients.

Materials and methods

A randomized double-blind cross-over study (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01546992) was performed in 47 patients with secondary adrenal failure [10-week exposure to a higher hydrocortisone dose (0·4-0·6 mg/kg body weight) vs. 10 weeks of a lower hydrocortisone dose (0·2-0·3 mg/kg body weight)].

Results

Plasma total bilirubin was increased by 10% from 7 to 8 ?M in response to the higher hydrocortisone dose (P = 0·033). This effect was inversely related to age (P = 0·042), but was unaffected by sex, obesity and (replacement for) other hormonal insufficiencies. The higher hydrocortisone dose also resulted in lower alkaline phosphatase (P = 0·006) and aspartate aminotransferase activities (P = 0·001).

Conclusion

Bilirubin is modestly increased in response to higher glucocorticoid exposure in humans, in conjunction with lower alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, which are supposed to represent biomarkers of a pro-inflammatory state and enhanced liver fat accumulation.

SUBMITTER: Werumeus Buning J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5111743 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Higher hydrocortisone dose increases bilirubin in hypopituitary patients- results from an RCT.

Werumeus Buning Jorien J   Kootstra-Ros Jenny E JE   Brummelman Pauline P   van den Berg Gerrit G   van der Klauw Melanie M   Wolffenbuttel Bruce H R BH   van Beek André P AP   Dullaart Robin P F RP  

European journal of clinical investigation 20160415 5


<h4>Background</h4>Bilirubin has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain its proposed protective effects on the development of cardiometabolic disorders. Glucocorticoids affect heme oxygenase regulation in vitro, which plays a key role in bilirubin production. Effects of variations in glucocorticoid exposure on circulating bilirubin levels in humans are unknown. Here we tested whether a higher hydrocortisone replacement dose affects circulating bilirubin in hypopituita  ...[more]

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