REDUCED ADRENAL-RESPONSE TO LOW-DOSE EXOGENOUS ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN INCHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

We measured adrenal responsiveness in 10 dialysis patients and 10 age sex matched controls using a low dose adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) test . Subjects received 1 mu g of Tetracosactrin intravenously and samples were taken for plasma cortisol before and 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 minut es after injection. Mean baseline cortisol concentrations were similar in both groups but the 5, 15 and 30 minutes and maximum cortisol incr ements from baseline were all significantly reduced in the dialysis pa tients compared to normal subjects. This study indicates that adrenal responsiveness is reduced in patients with endstage renal failure.