Endocrine Abstracts

Data regarding cardiovascular risk in subjects with non-functioning adrenal adenoma is limited. The aim of this study is to investigate osteoprotogerin (OPG) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in subjects with non functioning adrenal incidentalomas.

Of 51 subjects without findings of hypercortisolism or other adrenal gland disorders (AI), 32 BMI-unmatched controls (C) and 20 BMI-matched controls (BC) were enrolled. Participants underwent hormonal evaluation including morning cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), post dexamethasone suppression test (DST), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and urinary free cortisol. In subjects with elevated post DST cortisol (>1.8 mcg/dl), elevated UFC (>110 mcg/day), and suppressed ACTH and DHEAS levels, midnight cortisol was evaluated (normal < 7.5 mcg/dl).

AI group had increased BMI, blood pressure, waist circumference, post DST cortisol, uric acid and HOMA levels when compared with C. Blood pressure, uric acid and post DST cortisol remained significantly elevated in AI versus BC. IL-6 and OPG levels were comparable among groups (AI versus C and AI versus BC). IL-6 and OPG were not significantly correlated with hormonal parameters. IL-6 was correlated with BMI, waist circumference, triglyceride and uric acid in subjects with adrenal incidentaloma.

Despite the presence of several metabolic disturbances, subjects with AI did not feature IL-6 or OPG elevation. Exclusion of the patients with established cardiovascular events or diabetes might cause comparable levels of OPG and IL-6.