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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

How trilostane affects hormone levels in dogs with pituitary

By Galac, Sara et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2010·Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Netherlands·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Effects of trilostane on the pituitary-adrenocortical and renin-aldosterone axis in dogs with pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A group of 63 dogs with pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism (a condition causing excessive cortisol) were treated with a medication called trilostane. The vets adjusted the dosage based on the dogs' symptoms and specific blood tests. After treatment, the dogs showed a significant drop in cortisol levels, indicating better control of their condition. While there was a slight change in another hormone related to blood pressure, the main takeaway is that trilostane effectively helped manage the symptoms of hypercortisolism in these dogs.

People also search for: dog hypercortisolism treatment · trilostane for dogs · dog cortisol levels high

Abstract

The medical records of 63 dogs with pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism (PDH) before and during treatment with trilostane were reviewed retrospectively. The correct trilostane dosage in dogs with PDH was based on the resolution of clinical signs and the results of an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. The mean (+/-SD) dose rate of trilostane to achieve good clinical control was 2.8+/-1.0mg/kg bodyweight. Trilostane treatment resulted in a significant decline in basal plasma cortisol concentrations. The median plasma ACTH concentration (39 pmol/L, range 7-132 pmol/L; n=60) at the optimal trilostane dosage time was significantly higher (P<0.001) than before treatment (13 pmol/L, range 2-102 pmol/L). These values did not overlap with plasma ACTH concentrations (range 212-307 pmol/L) of five PDH dogs with trilostane-induced hypocortisolism. The median cortisol/ACTH ratio in well-controlled dogs (0.23, range 0.03-2.5; n=46) was significantly lower (P<0.001) than before treatment (2.59, range 0.27-13.25). Trilostane treatment resulted in an insignificant decrease in plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), but the median plasma renin activity (PRA) at the time the trilostane dosage was considered optimal (265 fmol/L/s, range 70-3280 fmol/L/s; n=18) was significantly higher (P<0.001) than prior to treatment (115 fmol/L/s, range 15-1330 fmol/L/s). Similarly, the median PAC/PRA ratio during trilostane treatment (0.16, range 0.003-0.92; n=17) was significantly lower (P<0.001) than before treatment (median 0.44, range 0.04-1.33). Trilostane affected both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical and the renin-aldosterone axes. The results also suggested that basal plasma ACTH concentration may be used to detect trilostane overdosage.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19042143/