THE RELATIONSHIP OF SERUM-LIPIDS TO ADRENAL-GLAND UPTAKE OF 6-BETA-[I-131] IODOMETHYL-19-NORCHOLESTEROL IN CUSHINGS-SYNDROME

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 21  (11) , 1069-1072
Abstract
An alteration in serum cholesterol levels was suggested as a possible modifier of adrenal uptake of the cholesterol analog, 6.beta.-[131I]iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol (NP-59). To assess the effect of hypercholesterolemia upon NP-59 adrenal uptake, patients with Cushing''s syndrome (8 with pituitary-dependent, 4 with ACTH-independent, and 2 with ectopic-ACTH syndrome) were selected for retrospective analysis based on the availability of serum cholesterol (n = 14) and triglyceride (n = 10) concentrations obtained at the time of adrenal scintigraphy. A negative correlation (r = -0.78, P < 0.01) was found between NP-59 uptake and serum cholesterol levels in patients with pituitary-dependent Cushing''s disease. Compared with pituitary-dependent disease, the ectopic-ACTH syndrome and ACTH-independent states demonstrated equal or greater adrenal uptake of NP-59 at similar serum cholesterol concentrations. Serum triglyceride concentrations did not correlate with total adrenal uptake of NP-59 in any patient group studied. Increased serum cholesterol concentrations are associated with diminished adrenal uptake of NP-59, and in some cases may limit the diagnostic efficacy of adrenal scintigraphy in Cushing''s syndrome.

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