This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ebrecht, M. Articles by Kirschbaum, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ebrecht, M. Articles by Kirschbaum, C.

Tissue Specificity of Glucocorticoid Sensitivity in Healthy Adults

Center for Psychobiological and Psychosomatic Research, University of Trier (M.E., A.B.-K., D.H., S.K., N.R., C.K.), D-54286 Trier, Germany; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Edinburgh (B.W.), EH4 2XU Edinburgh, United Kingdom; and Department of Psychology, University of Düsseldorf (C.K.), D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Prof. Dr. Clemens Kirschbaum, Department of Psychology, Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. E-mail: ck{at}uni-duesseldorf.de

Contradicting data exist as to whether interindividual patterns in glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity vary between different target tissues in humans. This study therefore measured GC sensitivity in 36 healthy subjects in three target tissues: the immune system; the cardiovascular system, and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. For this purpose, dexamethasone inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor- production in peripheral leukocytes, beclomethasone dipropionate-induced skin blanching, and suppression of cortisol levels after low-dose (0.5 mg) dexamethasone suppression test were determined in each subject.

The results showed the expected glucocorticoid-induced suppression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor- production (both P < 0.001), dose-dependent skin blanching (P < 0.001), and suppression of salivary cortisol response to awakening (P < 0.001). However, neither simple correlations nor cluster analysis revealed a significant association among the three bioassays for GC sensitivity. In contrast to the idea that interindividual variation in GC sensitivity is an intrinsic trait affecting all tissues, these results suggest that this variability is target tissue specific in healthy subjects.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Debono, R. J Ross, and J. Newell-Price Inadequacies of glucocorticoid replacement and improvements by physiological circadian therapy Eur. J. Endocrinol., May 1, 2009; 160(5): 719 - 729. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Kern and T. Ziemssen Review: Brain immune communication psychoneuroimmunology of multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, January 1, 2008; 14(1): 6 - 21. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. S. Chriguer, L. L. K. Elias, I. M. da Silva Jr., J. G. H. Vieira, A. C. Moreira, and M. de Castro Glucocorticoid Sensitivity in Young Healthy Individuals: in Vitro and in Vivo Studies J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2005; 90(11): 5978 - 5984. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. E. Miller, N. Rohleder, C. Stetler, and C. Kirschbaum Clinical Depression and Regulation of the Inflammatory Response During Acute Stress Psychosom Med, September 1, 2005; 67(5): 679 - 687. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P H Wirtz, R von Kanel, N Rohleder, and J E Fischer Monocyte proinflammatory cytokine release is higher and glucocorticoid sensitivity is lower in middle aged men than in women independent of cardiovascular risk factors Heart, August 1, 2004; 90(8): 853 - 858. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Wust, E. F. C. van Rossum, I. S. Federenko, J. W. Koper, R. Kumsta, and D. H. Hellhammer Common Polymorphisms in the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Are Associated with Adrenocortical Responses to Psychosocial Stress J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2004; 89(2): 565 - 573. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Vermeer, B. I. Hendriks-Stegeman, B. van der Burg, S. C. van Buul-Offers, and M. Jansen Glucocorticoid-Induced Increase in Lymphocytic FKBP51 Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression: A Potential Marker for Glucocorticoid Sensitivity, Potency, and Bioavailability J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2003; 88(1): 277 - 284. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C. Andrews, O. Herlihy, D. E. W. Livingstone, R. Andrew, and B. R. Walker Abnormal Cortisol Metabolism and Tissue Sensitivity to Cortisol in Patients with Glucose Intolerance J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2002; 87(12): 5587 - 5593. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Gaab, D. Huster, R. Peisen, V. Engert, T. Schad, T. H. Schurmeyer, and U. Ehlert Low-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Health Psychosom Med, March 1, 2002; 64(2): 311 - 318. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				L Patel, J K Wales, M S Kibirige, A A Massarano, J M Couriel, P E Clayton, and G. RUSSELL Symptomatic adrenal insufficiency during inhaled corticosteroid treatment Arch. Dis. Child., October 1, 2001; 85(4): 330 - 334. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]