Journal of endocrinological investigation
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J. Endocrinol. Invest. · Feb 2002
Evaluation of circulating levels and renal clearance of natural amino acids in patients with Cushing's disease.
Although the hypercortisolism-induced impairment of protein homeostasis is object of several studies, a detailed evaluation of the complete amino acid profile of patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) has never been performed. The aim of the current open transversal controlled study was to evaluate serum and urinary concentrations as well as renal clearance of the complete series of natural amino acids and their relationship with glucose tolerance in patients with Cushing's disease (CD). Twenty patients with CD (10 active and 10 cured) and 20 sex- and age-matched healthy controls entered the study. ⋯ Although Homa-R was significantly correlated to BMI in active patients (r=0.74 p<0.05), it was not correlated to amino acid levels. In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrate that patients with CD have significant changes in serum and urinary concentration of several amino acids and changes in renal clearance of some specific amino acids. Normalization of cortisol levels restored the amino acid profile.