Adrenocorticotropic hormone functions

In humans, the hypothalamic-derived protein and the hormone noncovalent complexes are packaged in neurosecretory granules, then migrate along axons at a rate of 1 4 mm/h until they reach the posterior pituitary where they are stored prior to release into the bloodstream by exocytosis (67). Considerable evidence suggests that posterior pituitary hormones function as neurotransmitters (68) vasopressin acts on the anterior pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone [9002-60-2] (ACTH) (69) as well as on traditional target tissues such as kidneys. Both hormones promote other important central nervous system (CNS) effects (9,70). 

Corticosteroids hasten functional recovery after relapses.27 Intravenous adrenocorticotropic hormone, intravenous methylprednisolone, or oral prednisone are used for treatment of relapses. Generally, intravenous methylprednisolone is considered the drug of choice for acute relapses.28... 

A counterpart of evidence that CCK agonists are anxiogenic is to answer the question of whether the CCK system is functionally implicated in non-provoked symptoms of panic or anxiety. It is conceivable that endogenous variations of central and/or peripheral CCK activity may be a neurochemical concomitant of anxiety. It is interesting to mention that serum concentrations of gastrin, a CCK-B agonist, fluctuate in correlation with self-reported tension, conflict, and anxiety in psychiatrically healthy men (M. Feldman et al. 1992). Plasma CCK levels were markedly elevated in sportsmen before a competitive marathon run, as compared with CCK levels under control conditions (Phillip et al. 1992). Plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and noradrenaline were also elevated and increased extensively after the running performance. However, CCK levels re-... 

Corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH) regulates the function of the adrenal cortex and has numerous other effects on metabolism. It contains 39 amino acids in the form of a random coil, owing to the presence of several proline residues that prevent helix formation. Species differences are seen in amino acids 25-39 the rest of the ACTH molecule is identical in all animals and humans. The first 24 amino acids are responsible for all of the biological action of ACTH synthetic human ACTHj 24 is known as cosyntropin. 

Stare TJ, Bierman FZ, Pavlakis SG, Challenger ME, De Vivo DC, Gersony WM. Cardiac size and function during adrenocorticotropic hormone-induced systolic systemic hypertension in infants. Am J Cardiol 1994 73(l) 57-64. 

Other Hormones. Pituitary hormones regulate the function of many other endocrine glands, and hypophysectomy in male rats results in a decrease in the activity of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. Administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) also results in a decrease of those oxidative enzyme activities that are gender dependent. In contrast, ACTH treatment of female rats causes an increase in aminopyrine /V-dcmcthylasc but no change in other activities. 

K6. Klein, R., and Hanson, J., Adrenocortical function in the newborn infant as measured by adrenocorticotropic hormone—Eosinophil r ponse. J. Pediat. 6, 192-196 (1950). 

Functional pituitary adenomas can be found to express a variety of hormones, such as growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone. 

The adrenal glands, which are divided into the medulla (core) and the cortex (outer layer), furnish catecholamines and steroids, respectively. The catecholamines are hormonally active, and consist of norepinephrine and epinephrine. Steroids variously affect carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, regulate the sall/water losses of the kidneys, and affect sexual development and function. Androgens and estrogens fall in the last-mentioned category. Another adrenal hormone of note is ACTH, or adrenocorticotropic hormone. Cortisol is an adrenal product, which can be converted to cortisone. 

The drug is a purely synthetic compound which possesses a distinct unique characteristic feature of inhibiting 11 -P-hydroxylation in the biosynthesis of cortisol, corticosterone and aldosterone. Therefore, it is invariably employed to test for hypothalamic-pituitary function. However, in the normal individual, the drug essentially blocks the specific enzymatic step that ultimately leads to the synthesis of cortisol and corticosterone in vivo), causing an absolute intense stimulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion and inducing thereby a marked and pronounced enhancement in the urinary excretion of 17-hydroxy-corticosteroids. 

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