Effects of Substance P Antagonists on Adrenal Secretion
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Data from the literature and previous in vitro research conducted in the investigators'
laboratory (INSERM U413/EA4310, University of Rouen) suggest that adrenal corticosteroid
secretion might be controlled by sympathetic nervous system. This neurocrine regulation of
corticosteroid secretion involves locally released neuropeptides. Among them, substance P is
able to stimulate aldosterone and cortisol production via NK1 receptors.
The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of a NK1 receptor antagonist,
aprepitant, on adrenocortical secretions in healthy volunteers. Aprepitant is a drug already
available for the treatment of nausea induced by chemotherapy.
In the present phase IV trial, plasma aldosterone and cortisol levels will be measured under
treatment with aprepitant versus placebo, in both basal conditions and after activation of
the adrenocortical function by various stimuli, including upright posture, metoclopramide,
and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. All healthy volunteers will be given the two substances
(aprepitant and placebo) in a random order during two one-week periods separated by a 14
day-wash-out.
This study should allow to determine the role of substance P in the control of corticosteroid
production in normal man.