HPA axis in critical illness: cause and consequence of altered cortisol metabolism KU Leuven
The hormone cortisol is an essential component of the response to stress to provide energy, reduce inflammation and ensure hemodynamic stability. Increased production and release of cortisol is normally driven by an activated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, our research group recently demonstrated low plasma ACTH concentrations and high plasma cortisol concentrations during critical illness. This is known as the ...