Effects of Short-Term Glucocorticoid Treatment on Hormones Related to Insulin Resistance
Author Information
Author(s): Jeetesh V Patel, David E Cummings, John P Girod, Alwin V Mascarenhas, Elizabeth A Hughes, Manjula Gupta, Gregory YH Lip, Sethu Reddy, Daniel J Brotman
Primary Institution: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Hypothesis
Short-term glucocorticoid treatment among healthy individuals would cause insulin resistance, with coordinated increases in TNF alpha, leptin and ghrelin, and decreases in adiponectin.
Conclusion
Short-term dexamethasone therapy did not significantly change circulating concentrations of metabolically active hormones, despite increasing insulin resistance.
Supporting Evidence
- Dexamethasone treatment did not significantly change levels of TNF alpha, ghrelin, leptin or adiponectin.
- There were significant increases in body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, serum insulin and insulin resistance among subjects on glucocorticoid therapy.
- All subjects treated with dexamethasone had undetectable post-treatment morning cortisol levels, confirming compliance.
Takeaway
The study looked at how a medication called dexamethasone affects certain hormones in healthy young men. It found that even though the medication made them more insulin resistant, it didn't change the levels of the hormones they were studying.
Methodology
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study where 25 healthy men received either dexamethasone or placebo for 5 days, with hormone levels measured before and after treatment.
Potential Biases
Potential biases related to the small sample size and the short duration of treatment.
Limitations
The study only examined short-term effects and may not reflect longer-term impacts of glucocorticoids on hormone levels.
Participant Demographics
25 healthy men, mean age 24.2 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.001
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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