Description of the medicine: Corticotropin (Corticotropinum)

Corticotropin (Corticotropin).

Synonyms: Adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH, Acethrophan, ACTH, Acthar-Acton, Actrope, Adrenocorticotrophin, Cibathen, Corticotrophinum, Cortrophin, Exacthin, Hormonum adrenocorticotropinum, Solanthyl.

The hormone formed in the basophilic cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. For medical use are obtained from the pituitary gland of cattle, pigs and sheep corticotropin for injection (Corticotropinum pro injectionibus). Produced in glass, hermetically sealed bottles in the form of a sterile lyophilized powder of white or almost white color, easily soluble in water. The solution for injections is prepared ex tempore by dissolving the powder (under aseptic conditions) in a sterile isotonic solution of sodium chloride.

Corticotropin is a polypeptide hormone consisting of 39 amino acids. Its activity is determined by biological means and expressed in units of action (ED).

Cortinotropin is a physiological stimulator of the adrenal cortex. It causes an increase in biosynthesis and release into the bloodstream of corticosteroid hormones, mainly glucocorticoids (cortisol, cortisone, etc.) as well as androgens. At the same time, the content of ascorbic acid, cholesterol in the adrenal gland decreases.

Between the release of corticotropin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and the concentration of hormones in the adrenal cortex in the blood, there is a close relationship. The increase in corticotropin release begins when the concentration of corticosteroids in the blood drops and is inhibited if the content of corticosteroids rises to a certain level.

The therapeutic effect of corticotropin is similar to that of glucocorticosteroids. It has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect, has immunosuppressive activity, causes atrophy of connective tissue, affects carbohydrate; Protein metabolism and other biochemical processes.

Previously, corticotropin was widely used to treat rheumatism, infectious nonspecific polyarthritis, bronchial asthma, acute lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukemia, neurodermatitis, eczema, various allergic and other diseases. Currently, glucocorticoids, as well as non-steroid preparations (anti-inflammatory, antihistamines and antiallergic drugs, etc.) are usually used for these purposes.

In general, corticotropin is used in the secondary hypofunction of the adrenal cortex, to prevent adrenal atrophy and the development of "withdrawal syndrome" after prolonged treatment with corticosteroids. At the same time, corticotropin continues to be an effective treatment for these diseases.

Corticotropin is also used to study the functional state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system.

Enter corticotropin usually into the muscles. When ingestion the drug is ineffective, as it is destroyed by enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract. When injected into muscles, it is quickly absorbed.