EFFECTS OF IRRADIATION AND STRESS ON ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDOGENESIS. Final Report, July 30, 1953-June 30, 1960
Nine cases of testicular tumor were treated by therapeu tic doses of x radiation to include the region of the adrenals. L7-ketosteroid and 17- hydroxysteroid analyses were performed before, during, and after this irradiation. Adrenal steroidogenesis was evaluated by the response of the adrenal to 40 units of ACTH administered intravenously over a ten hour period on one day, or on two successive days. Most patients showed enhancement of adrenal cortical steroidogenesis duning or immediately following irradiation presumably reflecting the general adaptation syndrome. The data indicated that patients receiving more than 2000 r tissue dose of x radiation showed increased steroidogenesis during irradiation in response to the one day ACTH stimuiation test. Less than 2000 r produces no significant stimulation nor subsequent impairment. Doses of 2000 to 3000 r produce transient stimulation followed by loss of adrenal cortical reserve as shown by the two day ACTH stimulation test, while doses in excess of 3000 r produce subsequent impairment as manifested by the one day ACTH stimuiation test. Doses in excess of 3500 r do not appear to affect adrenal steroidogenesis under nonstress conditions, but markedly impair their ability to respond to stress. Data on patients receiving x radiation through portals including the adrenal and through other portals suggest that the primary effect is due to direct adrenal irradiation, but that generalized systemic toxicity may play a role. Patients receiving 3500 r tissue dose to the adrenals show no histologic changes of the adrenal cortex. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Letterman General Hospital, San Francisco
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-015409
- OSTI ID:
- 4043304
- Report Number(s):
- AD-243640
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
ADRENOCORTICAL RESERVE IN PATIENTS WITH GENITAL CARCINOMA
Imaging functional nodules of the adrenal glands with $sup 131$I-19- iodocholesterol