Plasma Cortisol Binding Globulin Levels in Gastro-intestinal Bleeding of Stress Origin

Abstract

Plasma cortisol levels, transcortin binding capacities and percentages of total plasma cortisol bound by protein were determined in patients diagnosed as having gastro-intestinal bleeding of stress origin. These patients all had elevated cortisol levels and abnormally low plasma transcortin binding capacities. It could be assumed then that the amount of free (or active) cortisol in their plasma was unusually high. Thus, whatever the effect corticosteroids have upon the gastro-intestinal mucosa resulting in erosion and bleeding, in all probability it is potentiated by a low plasma content of transcortin.