Aleksandra Flak, Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher and David Aebisher
Medical College of The University of Rzeszów, Poland

Part of the book: The Biochemical Guide to Hormones

Abstract

Adrenocorticotropin is a hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary gland under the influence of the hypothalamic hormone corticoliberin. ACTH hormone is necessary for the proper functioning of our body, because it affects its many aspects as well as the functioning of other organs. Most ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors are microadenomas, half of them below 5 mm in diameter, and their MRI detectability ranges from 35-60%. T”. Additionally, ACTH inhibits cell proliferation and, as the research shows, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Also, it is often used in the treatment of Addison’s disease, i.e., adrenal insufficiency. However, the choice of ACTH therapy may cause various side reactions, such as: edema due to mineral disturbances, circulatory disorders, allergies, increased blood pressure and a decrease in gastric pH. It should be remembered that for the correct interpretation of the results, the serum cortisol level should be measured together with the ACTH level test. Then the comparison of these two values allows to realistically and correctly determine the cause of the disorders.

Keywords: hormone, adrenocorticotropin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), proopiomelanocortin

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