Adrenocortical function in bronchial asthma.

Female patients with "intrinsic" bronchial asthma without corticosteroid therapy for at least 3 months revealed low blood concentration of total protein-unbound + protein-bound) and free (biologically active, protein-unbound) cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, as also a low urinary excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone metabolites. The results suggest that bronchial asthma is associated with hypoadrenia due to an impaired production not only of cortisol, but also of adrenocortical androgens resulting in an insufficient hormone supply of the target organs. These seem noteworthy, since recent observations showed relationships between the immune responsiveness and sex hormones.