Cortisol Control of Human Inflammatory Responses to Endotoxin
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2007-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of the research is to study a common and dangerous medical condition called
'septic shock' that often occurs in critically ill patients. In order to learn about septic
shock in humans, we will administer a substance called 'endotoxin' to participants in this
study. Endotoxin causes a temporary period of inflammation in the human body, a brief
'virtual' infection. This is an established method for the investigation of inflammation
properties. We are interested in how the natural hormone, cortisol, can affect the human
response to endotoxin. We know that when cortisol is given at the same time as endotoxin it
can decrease the inflammation that occurs due to endotoxin. In this study we will test
whether or not cortisol, when given the day before the endotoxin, will work to change the
inflammation that occurs due to endotoxin. In order to test this, two-thirds of the study
participants will receive cortisol on the day before they receive the endotoxin and one-third
of the study participants will receive a placebo (no medication) before the endotoxin.
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Collaborator:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)