Changes of pituitary-adrenal function in diabetics and their response to aminoglutethimide

The changes of pituitary-adrenal function in diabetics and their reserve ability of pituitary ACTH-secreting cells were studied in 31 normal subjects, 20 cases of IDD and 31 cases of NIDD.
The results revealed that plasma ACTH levels were 37.58±2.93 and 18.53±2.57pg/ml at 8AM and OAM, respectively, in normal subjects. While in IDD, the plasma ACTH levels were 44.04±4.99 and 50.46±5.55pg/ml at 8AM and OAM, respectively, and the ACTH levels at OAM were higher than that of normal subjects. In NIDD both plasma ACTH levels at 8AM and OAM were higher than that of normal subjects, and the serum cortisol at OAM also was higher that of normal subjects. After talcing AG the plasma ACTH, serum cortisol and urinary free cortisol levels were remarkedly elevated in all three groups. The increased amounts of ACTH, cortisol and UFC were highest in normal subjects among. the three groups, lowest in NIDD patients. This study demonstrated that the pituitary-adrenal function was abnormal in diabetes mellitus.