What Is Adrenocorticotropic Hormone?

Corticotropin (ACTH) is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland of vertebrates, which can promote tissue proliferation of the adrenal cortex and the production and secretion of corticosteroids. ACTH production and secretion are directly regulated by the hypothalamus corticotropin-releasing factor (CRH). Excessive secretion of corticosteroids can in turn affect the pituitary and hypothalamus, reducing their activity. It has the function of stimulating the development and function of the adrenal cortex. It mainly acts on the adrenal cortex fascia and stimulates the secretion of glucocorticosteroids. ACTH also has a role in regulating antibody production through the adrenal cortex. Contrary to auxin. Normal ACTH secretion has the same circadian rhythm as cortisol, high in the morning and low in the afternoon and evening. ACTH measurement is mainly based on radioactive methods, including extraction method and direct method, the latter is simple, but susceptible to interference by other substances. ACTH is extremely unstable. It is susceptible to protease degradation at room temperature. Blood samples should be anticoagulated with EDTA. Plasma is immediately separated for refrigeration and frozen for several months.

Basic Information

Chinese name

Corticotropin

Foreign name

adrenocorticotropic hormone

Alias

ACTH

Types of

Peptide hormone

Function

Promote tissue proliferation of the adrenal cortex

Field

biology

Clinical significance of adrenocorticotropic hormone

Corticotropin detection can be used for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pituitary adrenocortical hyperfunction or hypothyroidism. Corticotropin is of great value in the differential diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency and hypersecretion. In primary adrenal insufficiency, ACTF is typically elevated, and low levels of ACTH are usually seen in adrenal insufficiency secondary to pituitary dysfunction. The ACTH test can also help identify the cause of excessive cortisol secretion in cushing syndrome. When excessive cortisol secretion is caused by adrenal cortical lesions or hyperplasia, ACTH levels are characteristically reduced, and if ACTH is produced by ectopic pituitary Or ACTH levels are elevated when ACTH is secreted too much.

1. Increase: seen in stress, primary adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's syndrome, Nelson syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, pituitary adrenocorticoblastoma.

2. Reduction: seen in hypopituitarism, adrenocortical tumors, pituitary tumors, and anterior pituitary lesions.

Reference range of normal adrenocorticotropic hormone

<46pg / ml