THE EFFECTS OF EPINEPHRINE ON THE METABOLISM OF 17-HYDR0XYC0RTIC0STER0IDS IN THE HUMAN*

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Abstract
THE factors regulating the secretion of the adrenocorticotropic. hormone (ACTH) by the adenohypophysis and consequently those governing the secretion of adrenal corticosteroids have not been well defined. Cannon demonstrated some years ago that many stressful situations are accompanied by the release of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla and by stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (1, 2). Subsequently Selye and others presented evidence that the effects which are produced by adrenocortical hormones are accentuated after stress— the “alarm reaction” of Selye (3–6). Because somewhat similar effects may be produced by epinephrine administration, it has been postulated that epinephrine may be the so-called “common-denominator” in stimulating the pituitary-adrenal system under conditions of stress (7, 8). Although many investigators have agreed that epinephrine is capable of inducing release of ACTH by the anterior pituitary, the evidence has been based in most instances on the development of changes resembling adrenocortical effects; direct measurements of ACTH or adrenocortical hormones have not been available.