Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Aka: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, ACTH, Corticotropin, Serum ACTH

advertisement

II. Physiology

  1. ACTH is a polypeptide synthesized and secreted by Basophil cells in the anterior pituitary
    1. Stimulation (releasing factors)
      1. Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH, from Hypothalamus)
      2. Emotional or physical stress
        1. Sympathetic response to stress triggers hypothalamic release of CRH
    2. Inhibition by negative feedback loops
      1. Cortisol inhibits CRH release from Hypothalamus
      2. Cortisol inhibits ACTH release from pituitary
  2. Components
    1. Polypetide of 39 Amino Acids, encoded by the POMC gene in humans
  3. ACTH Effects (Adrenal Cortex stimulation)
    1. Cortisol release (Glucocorticoid, primary function)
    2. Other, less potent effects
      1. Aldosterone release (mineralcorticoid)
      2. Androgenic steroid release

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Cushing Disease
  2. Addison Disease

IV. References

  1. Goldberg (2014) Clinical Physiology, Medmaster, Miami, p. 132-46

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Adrenocorticotropic Hormone." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies

Related Topics in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

advertisement