Cited by 69Stress Responses and CortisolAdrenal Hormones and DisordersDietary Effects on Health

Fasting Alters Pulsatile and Rhythmic Cortisol Release in Normal Man*

VANCE, MARY LEE, THORNER, MICHAEL O.·1989·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

Abstract

The effect of a 5-day fast on integrated, pulsatile, and periodic cortisol release was studied in 10 normal men by measuring serum cortisol concentrations every 20 min for 24 h before (day 0) and during the fifth day of fasting (day 5). Serum concentration profiles were analyzed for integrated cortisol release (area under the curve), pulsatile hormone release by an objective, statistically based pulse detection algorithm (cluster analysis), and periodic hormone release (circadian and ultradian rhythms) by Fourier expansion time series analysis. Urinary cortisol excretion per 24 h was measured in 5 men. The mean 24-h integrated serum cortisol concentration increased 1.7-fold during fasting (P = 0.0006). This increase resulted from a 2-fold increase in the serum cortisol concentrations between pulses (valley mean; P = 0.0004), an increase in the pulse height (P = 0.001), and an increase in pulse increment above baseline (P = 0.01). There were no changes in the number of pulses per 24 h, the interval between pulses, the width of the pulses, or the area of the pulses during fasting. Twenty-four-hour urinary cortisol excretion increased in all men, and the mean urinary cortisol (nanomoles per L)/creatinine clearance (milliliters per s) ratio increased from 119 on day 0 to 187 on day 5 (n = 5; P = 0.05). The pattern of periodic hormone release also changed during fasting; the mean (+/- SE) circadian rhythm (24-h) amplitude decreased from 160 +/- 14 nmol/L on day 0 to 102 +/- 105 nmol/L on day 5 (P = 0.06), and the amplitude of the 12-h rhythm increased from 68 +/- 11 to 99 +/- 11 nmol/L. There also were significant increases in the amplitudes of rhythms with periodicities of 8.1, 4.1, 2.4, 1.6, and 1.3 h (P = 0.02-0.008). Fasting in normal men results in distinct changes in the amount and pattern of pulsatile, circadian, and ultradian cortisol release.

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Crossref · 10.1210/jcem-68-6-1013

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Authors
VANCE, M. L., & THORNER, M. O.
Affiliations
University of Virginia Medical Center (US)
Venue
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Published
1989-06
Volume
68
Issue
6
Pages
1013-1018
ISSN
  • 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7197
OpenAlex
W2043821369
Cited by
69
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
FWCI
0.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Virginia
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK32632)
  • National Center for Research Resources (RR 00847)
  • NIH Clinical Center
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
Keywords
fasting, cortisol secretion, pulsatile hormone secretion, circadian rhythm, ultradian rhythms, urinary cortisol excretion, clustering, Fourier analysis
MeSH terms
Adult, Circadian Rhythm, Fasting, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Metabolic Clearance Rate, Periodicity, Time Factors

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