LACK OF A SPECIFIC EFFECT OF CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE (CRH) ON PLASMA-LEVELS OF 13,14-DIHYDRO-15-KETO-PROSTAGLANDIN E(2) IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

The responses of plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (corticotrophin, ACTH), cortisol and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)-M), a stable metabolite of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) to i.v. injection of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) were studied in eight healthy subjects before and after a dexamethasone suppression test. We demonstrated a slight increase in PGE(2)-M after CRH injection in a dose that markedly augmented ACTH and cortisol levels, CRH did not produce any significant changes in ACTH, cortisol or PGE(2)-M after dexamethasone treatment, The results did not confirm a specific effect of CRH on PGE(2) production.