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Horm Metab Res 2005; 37(8): 489-493
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-870307
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Intranasal Administration of ACTH(1-24) Stimulates Catecholamine Secretion

M.  Yoshida-Hiroi1 , Y.  Tsuchida2 , G.  Yoshino2 , N.  Hiroi2, 3
  • 1 Division of Respiratory Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Japan
  • 2 Division of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Japan
  • 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Saiseikai Kanagawa-Ken Hospital, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Received 24 May 2005

Accepted after revision 16 June 2005

Publication Date:
01 September 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Previously, we reported that intranasal (IN) ACTH(1-24) administration stimulates adrenocortical steroid secretion in normal subjects. To determine the efficiency of transmucosal absorption of ACTH into the adrenal medulla, we measured serum cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine levels after IN vs. intravenous (IV) administration of 250 μg ACTH(1-24) in 7 healthy adult men (mean age 21.7 ± 1.2 yr; range, 21 - 24 yr). Blood was collected at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min after administration of ACTH(1-24), and the levels of adrenocortical steroids and catecholamines were measured by specific RIA and HPLC methods, respectively. There were no side effects associated with IN or IV ACTH administration. Consistent with the previous study, serum cortisol and aldosterone increased after IN administration of ACTH(1-24), peaking 30 min after administration. Sixty minutes after IN and IV administration of ACTH, epinephrine levels increased by 41.9 ± 13.1 % and 63.3 ± 11.8 %, respectively, and remained elevated throughout the sampling period. Thirty minutes after IN or IV administration of ACTH(1-24), plasma norepinephrine levels increased by 55.9 ± 13.4 % and 73.7 ± 15.0 %, respectively, peaking 30 min after ACTH(1-24) administration, and decreasing to basal levels within 60 min. Plasma dopamine levels did not change after IN administration of ACTH(1-24). Adrenocortical steroid and catecholamine levels did not increase after IN administration of saline. These results demonstrate that IN administration of ACTH(1-24) not only stimulates adrenocortical steroids, but also epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Key words

Catecholamine - Epinephrine - Norepinephrine - Adrenocorticotropic hormone - Cortisol

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Naoki Hiroi, M. D., Ph. D.

Department of Internal Medicine, Saiseikai Kanagawa-Ken Hospital

6-6 Tomiyacho · Kanagawa-ku · Yokohama · Kanagawa 221-8601 · Japan

Phone: +81 (45) 432-1111

Fax: +81 (45) 432-1119 ·

Email: n-hiroi@tkf.att.ne.jp

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