Examining Genetic Differences Among People With 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Endocrine |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Endocrinology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 50 |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | August 2007 |
| End Date: | March 2009 |
Modifier Genes in 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder that affects the amount of
steroids that the body forms. The most common form of CAH is 21-hydroxylase deficiency
(21OHD), which leads to cortisol deficiency. This, in turn, causes the development of mature
masculine characteristics in newborn, prepubescent, and grown females and in prepubescent
males. 21OHD is known to be caused by the mutation of a specific gene. However, symptom
severity among people with 21OHD varies, and adults seem to be less affected than children.
This study will examine participants' DNA to determine what other genes may affect the
severity of 21OHD and may make the disease milder in adults than in children.
steroids that the body forms. The most common form of CAH is 21-hydroxylase deficiency
(21OHD), which leads to cortisol deficiency. This, in turn, causes the development of mature
masculine characteristics in newborn, prepubescent, and grown females and in prepubescent
males. 21OHD is known to be caused by the mutation of a specific gene. However, symptom
severity among people with 21OHD varies, and adults seem to be less affected than children.
This study will examine participants' DNA to determine what other genes may affect the
severity of 21OHD and may make the disease milder in adults than in children.
CAH is a genetic steroidogenesis disorder. The most common form, 21OHD, leads to cortisol
deficiency and, in turn, an excess of androgen, a hormone that promotes the development and
maintenance of male sex characteristics. As a result of this androgen excess, prepubescent
males and newborn, prepubescent, and grown females exhibit mature masculine characteristics.
The symptoms and severity of 21OHD vary among individuals with the disease and in adults
versus children. The reasons for these differences are not yet known. Current therapy for
21OHD consists of administration of glucocorticoids to replace cortisol and suppress
excessive pituitary function. With more information about what genes or factors contribute
to the severity of 21OHD, researchers may be able to better treat children and adults with
the disease. This study will examine participants' DNA to determine what other genes may
affect the severity of 21OHD and may make the disease milder in adults than in children.
People interested in participating in this 3-day inpatient study will first undergo a
physical exam and provide a blood sample to determine eligibility. Eligible participants
will be admitted to the study site in the morning on the first study day. A blood sample
will be taken and participants will receive one 10-mg pill of hydrocortisone. Heart rates
and blood pressures will be taken every 4 hours throughout the day. In the morning of Day 2,
a blood sample will be taken and participants will be asked to urinate in the toilet. After
this point and until the end of the study, participants will collect all urine in a jug. On
the morning of Day 3, participants will complete urine collection and a blood sample will be
taken. Participants will then receive intravenously a medicine called cosyntropin, a
synthetic form of a hormone that the body makes. About 1 hour after this, participants will
provide a final blood sample. Participants will receive one last pill of hydrocortisone
prior to the end of the study.
deficiency and, in turn, an excess of androgen, a hormone that promotes the development and
maintenance of male sex characteristics. As a result of this androgen excess, prepubescent
males and newborn, prepubescent, and grown females exhibit mature masculine characteristics.
The symptoms and severity of 21OHD vary among individuals with the disease and in adults
versus children. The reasons for these differences are not yet known. Current therapy for
21OHD consists of administration of glucocorticoids to replace cortisol and suppress
excessive pituitary function. With more information about what genes or factors contribute
to the severity of 21OHD, researchers may be able to better treat children and adults with
the disease. This study will examine participants' DNA to determine what other genes may
affect the severity of 21OHD and may make the disease milder in adults than in children.
People interested in participating in this 3-day inpatient study will first undergo a
physical exam and provide a blood sample to determine eligibility. Eligible participants
will be admitted to the study site in the morning on the first study day. A blood sample
will be taken and participants will receive one 10-mg pill of hydrocortisone. Heart rates
and blood pressures will be taken every 4 hours throughout the day. In the morning of Day 2,
a blood sample will be taken and participants will be asked to urinate in the toilet. After
this point and until the end of the study, participants will collect all urine in a jug. On
the morning of Day 3, participants will complete urine collection and a blood sample will be
taken. Participants will then receive intravenously a medicine called cosyntropin, a
synthetic form of a hormone that the body makes. About 1 hour after this, participants will
provide a final blood sample. Participants will receive one last pill of hydrocortisone
prior to the end of the study.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of 21OHD with two "severe" alleles, excluding the A/C656G mutation OR
participant consents to genetic testing and a CYP21A2 mutation is identified
- Currently a patient at one of the participating centers
- Currently taking less than 15mg/m² hydrocortisone per day and has been for at least
the past 3 months
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of adrenal crisis within 1 year prior to study entry
- Any coexisting condition requiring corticosteroid therapy (e.g., asthma, psoriasis)
- History of removal of both adrenal glands
- History of deficient pituitary gland function
- Current or past use of growth hormone therapy within 3 months prior to study entry
- Serum creatinine level greater than 2 mg/dL
- Systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg
- History of critical illness or surgery that required general anesthesia within 1
month prior to study entry
We found this trial at
3
sites
Click here to add this to my saved trials
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center UT Southwestern is an academic medical center, world-renowned for...
Click here to add this to my saved trials
Click here to add this to my saved trials