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In Vivo Study of Interactions Between the Endocannabinoid System and the Corticotropic Axis in Man

In Vivo Study of Interactions Between the Endocannabinoid System and the Corticotropic Axis in Man

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02889224
Acronym
VISECA
Enrollment
40
Registered
2016-09-05
Start date
2012-02-01
Completion date
2013-09-01
Last updated
2026-05-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cushing's Syndrome

Keywords

Obesity, Cortisol, Hydrocortisone, Endocannabinoïds

Brief summary

Working hypothesis: the interactions between the endogenous endocannabinoïds (ECS) - and cortisol, the end product of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis may play a role in the pathophysiology of Cushing's syndrome. The investigators speculate that: * acute or chronic variations in plasma cortisol may induce changes in the activity of the ECS * that there is a circadian rhythm of the ECS driven by the rythm of plasma cortisol

Detailed description

The study aim to identify the relationship between the ECS and the HPA axis in humans with a main objective to assess if Cushing's syndrome induces changes in the ECS activity. For this purpose: 1. the investigors will compare plasma levels of ECS between obese controls and patients with Cushing's syndrome 2. the investigors will compare plasma levels of ECS in patients with Cushing's syndrome before and immediately after curative surgery 3. the investigors will compare plasma levels of ECS in patients with hypoadrenalism before and after the intake of substitutive doses of hydrocortisone 4. the investigors will evaluate the plasma levels of ECS during a short synacthen test in healthy subjects.

Interventions

OTHERObese
PROCEDUREHypercortisolism
OTHERHydrocortisone
OTHERControl

Sponsors

University Hospital, Bordeaux
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

For all patients groups: * Age ≥ 18, * Social security. " Hypercortisolism " group: * 18 \< BMI \< 40 kg/m2, * Cushing's syndrome in front of : * impaired 1 mg dexamethasone test (08:00 A.M. cortisol \> 50 nmol/L) * qualitative and quantitative disrupted circadian rhythm of cortisol with increased plasma concentrations * free urinary cortisol upper normal range (90 µg/24H), * Hypercortisolism that can be treated with surgery (adrenal adenoma treated with adrenalectomy or Cushing disease treated with pituitary surgery). " Obese " group: * Obese patients: 30 \< BMI \< 40 kg/m2, * Normal HPA axis function: * 08:00 A.M. cortisol \> 250 nmol/L and peak above 550 nmol/L after 1 mg SST, * Normal 24H free urinary cortisol and dexamethasone test. " Control " group: * Lean or overweight patients (18 \< BMI \< 30 kg/m2), * Non cortisol secreting pituitary or adrenal tumor, * Patient in whom a biological evaluation of the HPA axis is recommended. " Hydrocortisone " group: * Lean or overweight patients (18 \< BMI \< 30 kg/m2), * Primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, * With a need for hydrocortisone supplementation.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with eating disorders, major depressive disorders or psychiatric disorders other than Cushing's syndrome, * Cannabis consumption, alcoholism or drug addiction, * Active smoking, * cortisone treatment other than hydrocortisone, * Pregnancy or feeding, * Surgery for obesity, * Incapability, * Pathology that is life-threatening in the short term, * Any situation that interfere with study or is risked for patient.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Fluctuations of 2-AG (2-arachidonoyl-Glycérol) plasma concentration in relationship to cortisol plasma concentration in obese arm compare to hypercortisolism arm.BaselineThe primary outcome will be assessed by a measurement of plasma concentration of 2-AG during the circadian rhythm of ACTH/cortisol.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Measurement of plasma concentration of AEA (Anandamide), OEA (Oleoyl-EthanolAmide) and PEA (Palmitoyl-EthanolAmide) endocannabinoïds associated with variations of plasma cortisol in hypercortisolism armBaseline and day 6The secondary outcome wille be assessed by a measurement of plasma concentration of AEA, OEA and PEA during the circadian rhythm of ACTH/cortisol.
Measurement of plasma concentration of AEA (Anandamide), OEA (Oleoyl-EthanolAmide) and PEA (Palmitoyl-EthanolAmide) endocannabinoïds associated with variations of plasma cortisol in hydrocortisone armBaselineMeasurement of plasma concentration of AEA, OEA and PEA on 07:30 A.M. ± 1 hour (fasting), 08:00 A.M. ± 1 hour (fasting), 09:00 A.M. ± 1 hour, 10:00 A.M. ± 1 hour, 04:00 P.M. ± 1 hour
Measurement of plasma concentration of AEA (Anandamide), OEA (Oleoyl-EthanolAmide) and PEA (Palmitoyl-EthanolAmide) endocannabinoïds in control arm who have no cortisol production problem.BaselineMeasurement of plasma concentration of AEA, OEA and PEA during the circadian rhythm of ACTH/cortisol

Countries

France

Contacts

STUDY_CHAIRPaul PEREZ, MD

University Hospital, Bordeaux

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 23, 2026