PLASMA CORTICOTROPHIN LEVELS DURING INSULIN‐HYPOGLYCAEMIA : COMPARISON OF RADIOIMMUNOASSAY AND CYTOCHEMICAL BIOASSAY

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Development of a highly sensitive bioassay for ACTH has enabled bioassayable ACTH to be measured in plasma during the course of the insulin hypoglycaemia test for the first time. Comparison with radioimmunoassay (RIA) on the same plasma samples shows that the latter consistently overstimates the true, or biologically active, ACTH level. This overstimate appears to be most marked when ACTH levels are highest and during the fall in plasma levels which occurs following the ACTH peak. This may limit the value of the RIA of ACTH, in some situations.