The effect of hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland axes in a kidney-yang deficiency syndrome model

Abstract

Kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) is a diagnostic pattern in the traditional Chinese medicine. Studies have shown that KYDS is related to the functional disorder of hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland axes. The standard procedure used to mimic KYDS is the injection of a high dose of exogenous glucocorticoid (hydrocortisone and corticosterone). Such a model showed symptoms such as exhaustion, body twists, cold limbs, lying crowded together, decreased rectal temperature, sexual dysfunction, decreased reaction speed, reduced spontaneous activity, hair loss, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Moreover, the model manifested an imbalance in mutual control among the hormones of the pituitary-target gland axes, including adrenocorticotrophic hormone, CORT, CRH, thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, T, E2, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and 17-OHCS.