The ultra-acute steroid response to traumatic injury: a cohort study

Conor Bentley, Jon Hazeldine, Laura Bravo, Angela E Taylor, Lorna C Gilligan, Fozia Shaheen, Animesh Acharjee, George Gkoutos, Mark A Foster, Wiebke Arlt*, Janet M Lord

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Objective: Trauma-induced steroid changes have been studied post-hospital admission, resulting in a lack of understanding of the speed and extent of the immediate endocrine response to injury. The Golden Hour Study was designed to capture the ultra-acute response to traumatic injury.

Design: An observational cohort study including adult male trauma patients

Methods: We recruited 31 adult male trauma patients (mean age 28 (range 19–59) years) with a mean injury severity score of 16 (IQR 10–21). The median time to first sample was 35 (range 14–56) minutes, with follow-up samples collected 4-12 and 48-72 hours post-injury. Serum steroids in patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n=34) were analysed by tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: Within one hour of injury, we observed an increase in glucocorticoid and adrenal androgen biosynthesis. Cortisol and 11-hydroxyandrostendione increased rapidly while cortisone and 11-ketoandrostenedione decreased, reflective of increased cortisol and 11-oxygenated androgen precursor biosynthesis by 11β-hydroxylase and increased cortisol activation by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Active classic gonadal androgens testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone decreased while the active 11-oxygenated androgen 11-ketotestosterone maintained pre-injury levels.

Conclusions: Changes in steroid biosynthesis and metabolism occur within minutes of traumatic injury. Studies that address whether ultra-early changes in steroid metabolism are associated with patient outcomes are now required.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)290–299
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Journal of Endocrinology
Volume188
Issue number3
Early online date21 Feb 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023

Keywords

  • major trauma
  • steroids
  • glucocorticoids
  • 11-oxygenated androgens
  • mass spectrometry

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