The diversity of abnormal hormone receptors in adrenal Cushing's syndrome allows novel pharmacological therapies.

Recent studies from several groups have indicated that abnormal or ectopic expression and function of adrenal receptors for various hormones may regulate cortisol production in ACTH-independent hypercortisolism. Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP)-dependent Cushing's syndrome has been described in patients with either unilateral adenoma or bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia; this syndrome results from the large adrenal overexpression of the GIP receptor without any activating mutation. We have conducted a systematic in vivo evaluation of patients with adrenal Cushing's syndrome in order to identify the presence of abnormal hormone receptors. In macronodular adrenal hyperplasia, we have identified, in addition to GIP-dependent Cushing's syndrome, other patients in whom cortisol production was regulated abnormally by vasopressin, ss-adrenergic receptor agonists, hCG/LH, or serotonin 5HT-4 receptor agonists. In patients with unilateral adrenal adenoma, the abnormal expression or function of GIP or vasopressin receptor has been found, but the presence of ectopic or abnormal hormone receptors appears to be less prevalent than in macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. The identification of the presence of an abnormal adrenal receptor offers the possibility of a new pharmacological approach to control hypercortisolism by suppressing the endogenous ligands or by using specific antagonists for the abnormal receptors.

Rose Questionnaire angina among United States black, white, and Mexican-American women and men. Prevalence and correlates from The Second National and Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

The prevalence of Rose Questionnaire angina and its association with coronary heart disease risk factors and manifestations were investigated in representative samples of the US population. The study populations included 1,135 black and 8,323 white subjects aged 25-74 years examined in the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-1980, and 2,775 Mexican-American subjects aged 25-74 years examined in the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Mexican-American portion, 1982-1983. Age-adjusted prevalence rates of Rose angina were similar among black, white, and Mexican-American women (6.8%, 6.3%, and 5.4%, respectively). An excess in the prevalence of Rose angina was observed in women compared with men for white and Mexican-American persons under age 55 years, but not for those over age 55. Electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial infarction and self-reported heart attack were strongly associated with prevalent Rose angina among white men and women aged 55 years and over, but not among those below age 55. Serum cholesterol, body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2), current cigarette smoking, and dyspnea were independently associated with an increased risk of prevalent angina in multivariate logistic models for white women, excluding those with a prior heart attack. Because many younger women with chest pain who may consult physicians are likely to have elevations in cardiovascular risk factors, their self-reported chest pain can be used as an opportunity to intervene and reduce their future risk of cardiovascular disease.