Obesity with corticosteroids

Non-alcohol steatohepatitis Fat build-up in the liver eventually causes scar tissue associated with diabetes, protein malnutrition, obesity and coronary artery disease. Treatment with corticosteroid medications. Biopsy is needed for full diagnosis. 

A 47-year-old mildly obese woman began a weight-reduction program that included anorectic therapy with phentermine and phendimetrazine. She had normal renal function at the start of therapy. After 3 weeks of treatment she fell ill and discontinued treatment. She was subsequently found to have leukocyturia, a rash on her face and chest, and a rise in serum creatinine from 67 to 175 pmol/l (0.8-2.1 mg/dl). Renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of acute interstitial nephritis. She was treated with corticosteroids and her renal function returned to normal. 

The relationship of corticosteroids to obesity has been investigated. Some obese patients have been known to have elevated corticosteroid levels.A significant increase in plasma corticosteroid levels has been found in healthy young males after ingestion of d-amphetamine or Intravenous administration of methamphetamine (lVa).20 The latter compound was also associated with an increase in Immuno-reactive corticotropin level. It was suggested that these effects may represent a direct action of these drugs on hypothalamic or mld-braln receptors. 

Inherited illnesses which are caused by abnormalities in the adrenal cortex are known. Hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex and the changing of their function was found in mice with inherited obesity and hyperglycemia (ob/ob). Increased levels of corticosteroids in blood plasma were found in obese animals (compared to normal). Both strains respond similarly to stress and the intravenous injection of ACTH — the elevation of serum corticosteroids. However, the half-life of hormones in obese animals was shorter (Naeser, 1974). 

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