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JAMA May 2018Vasopressin is an alternative to catecholamine vasopressors for patients with distributive shock-a condition due to excessive vasodilation, most frequently from severe... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
Association of Vasopressin Plus Catecholamine Vasopressors vs Catecholamines Alone With Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Distributive Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
IMPORTANCE
Vasopressin is an alternative to catecholamine vasopressors for patients with distributive shock-a condition due to excessive vasodilation, most frequently from severe infection. Blood pressure support with a noncatecholamine vasopressor may reduce stimulation of adrenergic receptors and decrease myocardial oxygen demand. Atrial fibrillation is common with catecholamines and is associated with adverse events, including mortality and increased length of stay (LOS).
OBJECTIVES
To determine whether treatment with vasopressin + catecholamine vasopressors compared with catecholamine vasopressors alone was associated with reductions in the risk of adverse events.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to February 2018. Experts were asked and meta-registries searched to identify ongoing trials.
STUDY SELECTION
Pairs of reviewers identified randomized clinical trials comparing vasopressin in combination with catecholamine vasopressors to catecholamines alone for patients with distributive shock.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two reviewers abstracted data independently. A random-effects model was used to combine data.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was atrial fibrillation. Other outcomes included mortality, requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT), myocardial injury, ventricular arrhythmia, stroke, and LOS in the intensive care unit and hospital. Measures of association are reported as risk ratios (RRs) for clinical outcomes and mean differences for LOS.
RESULTS
Twenty-three randomized clinical trials were identified (3088 patients; mean age, 61.1 years [14.2]; women, 45.3%). High-quality evidence supported a lower risk of atrial fibrillation associated with vasopressin treatment (RR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.67 to 0.88]; risk difference [RD], -0.06 [95% CI, -0.13 to 0.01]). For mortality, the overall RR estimate was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82 to 0.97; RD, -0.04 [95% CI, -0.07 to 0.00]); however, when limited to trials at low risk of bias, the RR estimate was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.11). The overall RR estimate for RRT was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.51 to 1.08; RD, -0.07 [95% CI, -0.12 to -0.01]). However, in an analysis limited to trials at low risk of bias, RR was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.53 to 0.92, P for interaction = .77). There were no significant differences in the pooled risks for other outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the addition of vasopressin to catecholamine vasopressors compared with catecholamines alone was associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation. Findings for secondary outcomes varied.
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Catecholamines; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Publication Bias; Shock; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Vasopressins
PubMed: 29801010
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.4528 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Jul 2023The clinical impact of vasopressin in hemorrhagic shock remains largely unknown.
BACKGROUND
The clinical impact of vasopressin in hemorrhagic shock remains largely unknown.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to investigate the effects of vasopressin receptor agonists during the resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and PubMed Central was conducted for relevant articles. Experimental (animal) and clinical studies were included. The primary objective was to investigate the correlation of vasopressin receptor agonist use with mortality and various hemodynamic parameters.
RESULTS
Data extraction was possible in thirteen animal studies and two clinical studies. Differences in risk of mortality between patients who received a vasopressin receptor agonist were not statistically significant when compared to those who were not treated with such agents [RR (95% CI): 1.17 (0.67, 2.08); = 0.562; I = 50%]. The available data were insufficient to conduct a meta-analysis assessing the effect of vasopressin receptor agonists on hemodynamics. Drawing safe conclusions from animal studies was challenging, due to significant heterogeneity in terms of species and dosage of vasopressin receptor agonists among studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Differences in risk of mortality between patients who received a vasopressin receptor agonist were not statistically significant when compared to those who were not treated with such agents after hemorrhagic shock. More data are needed to deduce certain conclusions.
PubMed: 37511756
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13071143 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2019Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is found in virtually all population groups regardless of ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds. Among others, dominant symptoms of autism...
Systematic Review of Literature on Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Within the Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Genes in the Development of Social Cognition Dysfunctions in Individuals Suffering From Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is found in virtually all population groups regardless of ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds. Among others, dominant symptoms of autism persistent throughout its course of development include, inter alia, qualitative disorders of social communication and social interactions. Numerous studies have been performed on animal models as well as groups of healthy individuals to assess the potential role of oxytocinergic and vasopresynergic systems in normal social functioning. These studies have also discussed their potential participation in the development of social cognition dysfunctions in the course of ASD. This literature review aimed to identify studies examining single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptor genes and their differential effects on social cognitive dysfunction in the development of ASD. A systematic review of literature published within the last 10 years and accessible in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and APA PsycNET databases was conducted by each author separately. Inclusion criteria required that articles should 1) be published between January 2008 and August 2018; 2) be published in English or Polish; 3) be located in periodical publications; 4) focus on the role of polymorphisms within oxytocin and vasopressin receptor genes in autistic population; 5) provide a clear presentation of the applied methodology; and 6) apply proper methodology. From the 491 studies qualified to the initial abstract analysis, 15 met the six inclusion criteria and were included in the full-text review. The analysis of available literature seems to indicate that there is an association between social cognition dysfunctions in the course of autism and selected alleles of polymorphisms within the OXT receptor AVP 1A receptor genes. However, previous studies neither specify the nature of this association in an unequivocal way nor select genotypes that are the basis for this association.
PubMed: 31214061
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00380 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2018Chronic (present > 48 hours) non-hypovolaemic hyponatraemia occurs frequently, can be caused by various conditions, and is associated with shorter survival and longer... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Chronic (present > 48 hours) non-hypovolaemic hyponatraemia occurs frequently, can be caused by various conditions, and is associated with shorter survival and longer hospital stays. Many treatments, such as fluid restriction or vasopressin receptor antagonists can be used to improve the hyponatraemia, but whether that translates into improved patient-important outcomes is less certain.
OBJECTIVES
This review aimed to 1) look at the benefits and harms of interventions for chronic non-hypovolaemic hypotonic hyponatraemia when compared with placebo, no treatment or head-to-head; and 2) determine if benefits and harms vary in absolute or relative terms dependent on the specific compound within a drug class, on the dosage used, or the underlying disorder causing the hyponatraemia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 1 December 2017 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. We also screened the reference lists of potentially relevant studies, contacted authors, and screened the websites of regulatory agencies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared the effects of any intervention with placebo, no treatment, standard care, or any other intervention in patients with chronic non-hypovolaemic hypotonic hyponatraemia. We also included subgroups with hyponatraemia from studies with broader inclusion criteria (e.g. people with chronic heart failure or people with cirrhosis with or without hyponatraemia), provided we could obtain outcomes for participants with hyponatraemia from the report or the study authors.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We expressed treatment effects as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes (health-related quality of life, length of hospital stay, change from baseline in serum sodium concentration, cognitive function), and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes (death, response and rapid increase in serum sodium concentration, hypernatraemia, polyuria, hypotension, acute kidney injury, liver function abnormalities) together with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 35 studies, enrolling 3429 participants. Twenty-eight studies (3189 participants) compared a vasopressin receptor antagonist versus placebo, usual care, no treatment, or fluid restriction. In adults with chronic, non-hypovolaemic hypotonic hyponatraemia, vasopressin receptor antagonists have uncertain effects on death at six months (15 studies, 2330 participants: RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.33) due to risk of selective reporting and serious imprecision; and on health-related quality of life because results are at serious risk of performance, selective reporting and attrition bias, and suffer from indirectness related to the validity of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) in the setting of hyponatraemia. Vasopressin receptor antagonists may reduce hospital stay (low certainty evidence due to risk of performance bias and imprecision) (3 studies, 610 participants: MD -1.63 days, 95% CI -2.96 to -0.30), and may make little or no difference to cognitive function (low certainty evidence due to indirectness and imprecision). Vasopressin receptor antagonists probably increase the intermediate outcome of serum sodium concentration (21 studies, 2641 participants: MD 4.17 mmol/L, 95% CI 3.18 to 5.16), corresponding to two and a half as many people having a 5 to 6 mmol/L increase in sodium concentration compared with placebo at 4 to 180 days (moderate certainty evidence due to risk of attrition bias) (18 studies, 2014 participants: RR 2.49, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.18). But they probably also increase the risk of rapid serum sodium correction - most commonly defined as > 12 mmol/L/d (moderate certainty evidence due to indirectness) (14 studies, 2058 participants: RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.40) and commonly cause side-effects such as thirst (13 studies, 1666 participants: OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.80 to 4.27) and polyuria (6 studies, 1272 participants): RR 4.69, 95% CI 1.59 to 13.85) (high certainty evidence). The potential for liver toxicity remains uncertain due to large imprecision. Effects were generally consistent across the different agents, suggesting class effect.Data for other interventions such as fluid restriction, urea, mannitol, loop diuretics, corticosteroids, demeclocycline, lithium and phenytoin were largely absent.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
In people with chronic hyponatraemia, vasopressin receptor antagonists modestly raise serum sodium concentration at the cost of a 3% increased risk of it being rapid. To date there is very low certainty evidence for patient-important outcomes; the effects on mortality and health-related quality of life are unclear and do not rule out appreciable benefit or harm; there does not appear to be an important effect on cognitive function, but hospital stay may be slightly shorter, although available data are limited. Treatment decisions must weigh the value of an increase in serum sodium concentration against its short-term risks and unknown effects on patient-important outcomes. Evidence for other treatments is largely absent.Further studies assessing standard treatments such as fluid restriction or urea against placebo and one-another would inform practice and are warranted. Given the limited available evidence for patient-important outcomes, any study should include these outcomes in a standardised manner.
Topics: Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Chronic Disease; Humans; Hyponatremia; Length of Stay; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sodium
PubMed: 29953167
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010965.pub2 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Aug 2023The utilization of vasopressin receptor antagonists, known as vaptans, in the management of hyponatremia among patients afflicted with the syndrome of inappropriate... (Review)
Review
Safety and Efficacy of Vaptans in the Treatment of Hyponatremia from Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The utilization of vasopressin receptor antagonists, known as vaptans, in the management of hyponatremia among patients afflicted with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) remains a contentious subject. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vaptans for treating chronic hyponatremia in adult SIADH patients. Clinical trials and observational studies were identified by a systematic search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database from inception through September 2022. The inclusion criteria were the studies that reported vaptans' safety or efficacy outcomes compared to placebo or standard therapies. The study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD 42022357307). Five studies were identified, comprising three RCTs and two cohort studies, enrolling a total of 1840 participants. Regarding short-term efficacy on days 4-5, vaptans exhibited a significant increase in serum sodium concentration from the baseline in comparison to the control group, with a weighted mean difference of 4.77 mmol/L (95% CI, 3.57, 5.96; I = 34%). In terms of safety outcomes, the pooled incidence rates of overcorrection were 13.1% (95% CI 4.3, 33.6; I = 92%) in the vaptans group and 3.3% (95% CI 1.6, 6.6; I = 27%) in the control group. Despite the higher correction rate linked to vaptans, with an OR of 5.72 (95% CI 3.38, 9.70; I = 0%), no cases of osmotic demyelination syndrome were observed. Our meta-analysis comprehensively summarizes the efficacy and effect size of vaptans in managing SIADH. While vaptans effectively raise the serum sodium concentration compared to placebo/fluid restriction, clinicians should exercise caution regarding the potential for overcorrection.
PubMed: 37685548
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175483 -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Oct 2022The aim of this study was to systematically review the use of vaptans (nonpeptide vasopressin receptor antagonists) in children.
AIMS
The aim of this study was to systematically review the use of vaptans (nonpeptide vasopressin receptor antagonists) in children.
METHODS
Through a database search (Web of Science, the National Library of Medicine, Excerpta Medica), we identified case series and case reports and extracted clinical and laboratory data.
RESULTS
Twenty-six articles, published since 2008, reported on 226 patients. Among 115 children with hyponatraemic (n = 63) and oedematous disorders (n = 52), a 48 hour course of tolvaptan with an initial dose of 0.38 ± 0.27 mg/kg was administered in 106 cases, while intravenous conivaptan was reported in nine cases. An increase (P < .02) in urine output was shown in both oedematous (from 3.2 ± 2.0 to 5.3 ± 6.7 mL/kg/day) and hyponatraemic (from 3.0 ± 1.5 to 4.4 ± 2.3 mL/kg/day) patients. In these latter, sodium increased from 125 ± 6 to 133 ± 6 mmol/L (P < .0001). The increase in sodium level correlated with its basal value, but not with the administered vaptan dose. Among 111 children undergoing cardiac surgery, after tolvaptan 0.21 ± 0.01 mg/kg/day, mostly combined with conventional diuretics, an increase in diuresis by 41 ± 4% was seen within 24 hours (P < .0001). Similarly, a single add-on dose of tolvaptan 0.45 mg/kg allowed a reduced additional intravenous furosemide administration (0.26 ± 0.23 vs 0.62 ± 0.48 mg/kg, P < .005). Side effects were rarely reported, and included excessive thirst and xerostomia in seven, skin rash in one and elevated aminotransferases in one patient(s).
CONCLUSION
Vaptans appear to be safe for oedematous and hyponatraemic disorders also in children. Although they increase diuresis and natraemia, no superiority to traditional diuretics and sodium supplements has been demonstrated. Reported side effects are rare and non-serious.
Topics: Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Benzazepines; Child; Diuretics; Heart Failure; Humans; Hyponatremia; Sodium; Tolvaptan
PubMed: 35474586
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15367 -
Critical Care (London, England) Mar 2019The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and safety of vasopressin receptor agonists in patients with septic shock. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and safety of vasopressin receptor agonists in patients with septic shock.
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of vasopressin receptor agonists in septic shock patients. Two reviewers performed literature selection, data extraction, and quality evaluation independently. The primary outcome was mortality. And secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and incidence of adverse events. In addition, a trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed.
RESULTS
Twenty studies were eligible for meta-analysis. The results showed vasopressin receptor agonists use was associated with reduced mortality (relative risk (RR) 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 0.99; I = 0%). Nevertheless, they had no significant effects on ICU length of stay (mean deviation (MD) - 0.08, 95% CI, - 0.68 to 0.52, I = 0%) and duration of mechanical ventilation (MD - 0.58, 95% CI - 1.47 to 0.31, I = 57%). Additionally, there was no significant difference in total adverse events between two groups (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.90, I = 57%), but vasopressin receptor agonists administration could significantly increase the risk of digital ischemia (RR 4.85, 95% CI 2.81 to 8.39, I = 26%). Finally, there was no statistical difference of cardiovascular events (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.57, I = 1%), arrhythmia (0.77, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.23, I = 23%), mesenteric ischemia (0.83, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.55, I = 0%), diarrhea (2.47, 95% CI 0.77 to 7.96, I = 49%), cerebrovascular events (1.36, 95% CI 0.18 to 10.54, I = 0%), and hyponatremia (1.47, 95% CI 0.84 to 2.55, I = 0%) between two groups. Egger's test showed there was no significant publication bias among studies (P = 0.36).
CONCLUSIONS
The use of vasopressin might result in reduced mortality in patients with septic shock. An increased risk of digital ischemia must be taken into account.
Topics: Hospital Mortality; Humans; Length of Stay; Patient Safety; Receptors, Vasopressin; Shock, Septic; Vasopressins
PubMed: 30871607
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-019-2362-4 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2020Vasopressin is an efficient remedy for septic shock patients as its great capacity in promoting hemodynamic stabilization. The aim of current systematic review and...
BACKGROUND
Vasopressin is an efficient remedy for septic shock patients as its great capacity in promoting hemodynamic stabilization. The aim of current systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the clinical efficiency of vasopressin or its analogs with sole catecholamines on patients with septic shock.
METHODS
A systematic search of Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed online databases was performed up to 30 Oct 2019 to identify randomized controlled trials comparing use of vasopressin or its analogs (e.g., terlipressin, selepressin) with administration of catecholamines alone.
RESULTS
We included 23 RCTs with 4,225 patients in the current study. Compared with solely use of catecholamines, administration of vasopressin or its analogs was not associated with reduced 28-day or 30-day mortality among patients with septic shock [RR=0.94 (95% CI, 0.87-1.01), =0.08, I = 0%]. The result of primary endpoint remained unchanged after conducting sensitivity analysis. Despite a significantly higher risk of digital ischemia in patients receiving vasopressin or its analogs [RR=2.65 (95% CI, 1.26-5.56), < 0.01, I = 48%], there was no statistical significance in the pooled estimate for other secondary outcomes, including total adverse events, arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiac arrest, acute mesenteric ischemia, ICU/hospital length of stay, and mechanical ventilation (MV) duration.
CONCLUSIONS
The administration of vasopressin or its analogs was not associated with reduced 28-day or 30-day mortality among patients with septic shock, while an increased incidence of digital ischemia should be noted in patients receiving agonists for vasopressin receptors.
PubMed: 32435192
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00563 -
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and... 2021Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potentially fatal complication of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Binding of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2...
BACKGROUND
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potentially fatal complication of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Binding of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, to its viral receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), results in viral entry and may cause AKI.
OBJECTIVES
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the frequencies of AKI and renal replacement therapy (RRT) in critically ill COVID-19 patients and compared those frequencies with patients who were infected by respiratory viruses that bind or downregulate ACE2 (ACE2-associated viruses) and viruses that do not bind nor downregulate ACE2 (non-ACE2-associated viruses).
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING
Observational studies on COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections reporting AKI and RRT were included. The exclusion criteria were non-English articles, non-peer-reviewed articles, review articles, studies that included patients under the age of 18, studies including fewer than 10 patients, and studies not reporting AKI and RRT rates.
PATIENTS
Adult COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and influenza patients.
MEASUREMENTS
We extracted the following data from the included studies: author, year, study location, age, sex, race, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, shock, vasopressor use, mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, ICU mortality, AKI, and RRT.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE for articles reporting AKI or RRT. AKI was defined by authors of included studies. Critical illness was defined by ICU admission. We performed a random effects meta-analysis to calculate pooled estimates for the AKI and RRT rate within each virus group using a random intercept logistic regression model.
RESULTS
Of 23 655 hospitalized, critically ill COVID-19 patients, AKI frequencies were not significantly different between COVID-19 patients (51%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 44%-57%) and critically ill patients infected with ACE2-associated (56%, 95% CI: 37%-74%, = .610) or non-ACE2-associated viruses (63%, 95% CI: 43%-79%, = .255). Pooled RRT rates were also not significantly different between critically ill, hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (20%, 95% CI: 16%-24%) and ACE2-associated viruses (18%, 95% CI: 8%-33%, = .747). RRT rates for both COVID-19 and ACE2-associated viruses were significantly different ( < .001 for both) from non-ACE2-associated viruses (49%, 95% CI: 44%-54%). After adjusting for shock or vasopressor use, AKI and RRT rates were not significantly different between groups.
LIMITATIONS
Limitations of this study include the heterogeneity of definitions of AKI that were used across different virus studies. We could not match severity of infection or do propensity matching across studies. Most of the included studies were conducted in retrospective fashion. Last, we did not include non-English publications.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that viral ACE2 association does not significantly alter the rates of AKI and RRT among critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. However, the rate of RRT is lower in patients with COVID-19 or ACE2-associated viruses when compared with patients infected with non-ACE2-binding viruses, which might partly be due to the lower frequencies of shock and use of vasopressors in these two virus groups. Prospective studies are necessary to demonstrate whether modulation of the ACE2 axis with Renin-Angiotensin System inhibitors impacts the rates of AKI and whether they are beneficial or harmful in COVID-19 patients.
PubMed: 34733538
DOI: 10.1177/20543581211052185 -
Endocrine Reviews Feb 2010Opioid abuse has increased in the last decade, primarily as a result of increased access to prescription opioids. Physicians are also increasingly administering opioid... (Review)
Review
Opioid abuse has increased in the last decade, primarily as a result of increased access to prescription opioids. Physicians are also increasingly administering opioid analgesics for noncancer chronic pain. Thus, knowledge of the long-term consequences of opioid use/abuse has important implications for fully evaluating the clinical usefulness of opioid medications. Many studies have examined the effect of opioids on the endocrine system; however, a systematic review of the endocrine actions of opioids in both humans and animals has, to our knowledge, not been published since 1984. Thus, we reviewed the literature on the effect of opioids on the endocrine system. We included both acute and chronic effects of opioids, with the majority of the studies done on the acute effects although chronic effects are more physiologically relevant. In humans and laboratory animals, opioids generally increase GH and prolactin and decrease LH, testosterone, estradiol, and oxytocin. In humans, opioids increase TSH, whereas in rodents, TSH is decreased. In both rodents and humans, the reports of effects of opioids on arginine vasopressin and ACTH are conflicting. Opioids act preferentially at different receptor sites leading to stimulatory or inhibitory effects on hormone release. Increasing opioid abuse primarily leads to hypogonadism but may also affect the secretion of other pituitary hormones. The potential consequences of hypogonadism include decreased libido and erectile dysfunction in men, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea in women, and bone loss or infertility in both sexes. Opioids may increase or decrease food intake, depending on the type of opioid and the duration of action. Additionally, opioids may act through the sympathetic nervous system to cause hyperglycemia and impaired insulin secretion. In this review, recent information regarding endocrine disorders among opioid abusers is presented.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Endocrine System; Endocrine System Diseases; Female; Humans; Hypogonadism; Male; Opiate Alkaloids; Opioid-Related Disorders
PubMed: 19903933
DOI: 10.1210/er.2009-0009