Effect of a New Synthetic Tetracosapeptide on the Cortisol Levels and Aldosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone and Catecholamine Excretion

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Abstract
The effect of an 8-hr infusion of a synthetic tetracosapeptide (Ciba 30,920-Ba) on the adrenal function of 24 subjects of both sexes was studied. Plasma cortisol and urine 17-OH-corticosteroids (17-OHCS) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increased markedly with the tetracosapeptide; they were in the range of the responses obtained with 8-hr natural ACTH infusions. A remarkable rise in urine aldosterone was present with the infusion in all cases tudied (mean increase 240%, sd 66, p<0.001). Catecholamines did not rise significantly, but small increases were found in 70% of the cases studied. The important stimulating effect of the tetracosapeptide on cortisol, DHEA and aldosterone secretion that has been found may be useful in the evaluation of cortico-adrenal dysfunction and tumors.