Somatomedin A levels in patients with Cushing's disease

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Abstract
The serum levels of immunoreactive somatomedin A (SMA) in 23 patients with Cushing''s disease, aged 6-61 yr, were within the range of healthy subjects for their ages. No correlation was found between SMA and the excretion of cortisol. After i.m. administration of hGH [human growth hormone] (8 IU = 4 mg) daily for 3 days there was a significant rise in SMA, both determined by radioimmunoassay and radioreceptor assay. Thus, no impairment was found in the GH-dependent SMA levels or the ability of hGH to generate somatomedin; the growth retarding effect of cortisol is most likely due to a direct effect on the tissue. After treatment with stereotactic radiation to the hypophysis there was a significant decrease in cortisol excretion without any change in SMA levels, indicating the possibility to achieve a selective impairment of the ACTH-cortisol axis.