기관지 천식 환자에서의 혈장 Cortisol 의 변화 = Changes in Plasma Cortisol in Patients with Bronchial Asthma기관지 천식 환자에서의 혈장 Cortisol 의 변화

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

In 37 patients with bronchial asthma with or without nocturnal dyspnea, the levels of plasma cortisol were measured at 8 A.M. and 11 P.M., and before and after ACTH infusion for 8 hours. The observed results were as follows: 1) In 20 patients with bronchial asthma without nocturnal dyspnea the value of plasma cortisol at 8 A.M. was 15.1±7.0 ㎍/dl and at 11 P.M. 8.8±5.7 ㎍/dl. 2) In 17 patients with nocturnal or morning dipper asthma, the value of plasma cortisol at 11 P.M. was 3. 2±1.1 ㎍/dl and was lower than that of bronchial asthmatics without nocturnal dyspnea (p < 0. 01). 3) In 20 bronchial asthmatics without noctunal dyspnea, the value of plasma cortisol before ACTH infusion was 12.6±5.9 ㎍/dl and after ACTH infusion 35. 1±3.2 ㎍/dl. The results of present study show that the patients with bronchial asthma have normal circardian rhythm of cortisol level, but the patients with nocturnal asthma have lower level of plasma cortisol at 11 P.M. than that of bronchial asthmatics without nocturnal dyspnea, The function of adrenal cortisol secretion after stimulation with ACTH infusion is normal. The circardian rhythm of corticosteroid secretion seems to be a possible factor of nocturnal asthma.