EFFECT OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC THERAPY ON THEIN VITRO11β-HYDROXYLATION OF DEOXYCORTICOSTERONE BY HUMAN ADRENAL HOMOGENATES

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Abstract
Adrenal glands were obtained from 13 patients who were undergoing two-stage bilateral adrenalectomy for metastatic mammary carcinoma. Using the first gland as a control, the effect of corticotropln administered in vivo was studied on the in vitro 11[beta]-hydroxylation of deoxy- corticosterone by human adrenal homogenates. The histologic picture following administration of corticotropin was correlated with an increased production of adrenocortical hormone and increased 11[beta]-hy-droxylating activity, and it was established that the morphologic and histochemical changes seen in the cells of the adrenal cortex can be interpreted in terms of function. A comparison is made of the hydroxylating activity of the human and bovine adrenal cortex; it is suggested that the human adrenal cortex on which corticotropin has acted in vivo may produce greater yields of cortisol and corticosterone in perfusion experiments with corticotropin.