The response of corticotropin and adrenal steroids to desmopressin stimulation in patients with various forms of hypercortisolism.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the direct action of desmopressin (agonist of vasopressin) on the hypophysis and the three zones of the adrenal cortex in patients with different forms of hypercortisolism.

Design: Forty-three patients with hypercortisolism-21 with Cushing's disease (14 females, 7 males), 11 with extrapituitary, ectopic tumours (5 females, 6 males), and 11 with ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome (6 females, 5 males)-were evaluated. The response of the pituitary and adrenal glands was assessed by measuring plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) at baseline and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after the administration of desmopressin.