Meldrum D R, Defazio J D, Erlik Y, Lu J K, Wolfsen A F, Carlson H E, Hershman J M, Judd H L
Obstet Gynecol. 1984 Dec;64(6):752-6.
Eighteen postmenopausal women with severe hot flashes had continuous recordings of finger temperature and skin resistance as objective indexes of flushing episodes, and serial measurements of anterior pituitary hormones as indirect indexes of hypothalamic neurotransmitter activity. Significant increases of growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) occurred with maximal concentrations at 30, five, and 15 minutes, respectively, after the onset of the skin temperature rises. No significant fluctuations of prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were observed. The mean serum cortisol concentration increased 15 minutes after the hot flash, presumably consequent to the preceding elevation of ACTH. Pituitary ACTH release may be secondary to hypothalamic cooling, whereas increased growth hormone and LH output and the thermoregulatory adjustments comprising the flushing episodes are all consistent with cyclic episodes of increased hypothalamic norepinephrine activity.
18名患有严重潮热的绝经后女性连续记录手指温度和皮肤电阻，作为潮热发作的客观指标，并连续测量垂体前叶激素，作为下丘脑神经递质活动的间接指标。皮肤温度升高开始后，生长激素、促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）和促黄体生成素（LH）分别在30分钟、5分钟和15分钟时达到最大浓度，均显著升高。未观察到催乳素（PRL）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）或促卵泡激素（FSH）有明显波动。潮热发作15分钟后，平均血清皮质醇浓度升高，可能是由于之前ACTH升高所致。垂体ACTH释放可能继发于下丘脑降温，而生长激素和LH分泌增加以及构成潮热发作的体温调节调整均与下丘脑去甲肾上腺素活性增加的周期性发作一致。
