CORRELATION OF PLASMA ACTH CONCENTRATION WITH ADRENOCORTICAL RESPONSE IN NORMAL HUMAN SUBJECTS, SURGICAL PATIENTS, AND PATIENTS WITH CUSHING'S DISEASE*

Abstract
Plasma ACTH of normal human subjects was found to be significantly higher at 6 a.m. than at 6 p.m. It was higher than normal in patients undergoing surgery and in patients with Cushing''s disease. During prolonged intravenous infusion of ACTH, maximal adrenocortical activation was observed with plasma ACTH concentrations of about 3 milli-units per 100 ml.