VARIATIONS IN POTENCY OF ACTH PREPARATIONS: INADEQUACY OF PRESENT METHODS OF STANDARDIZATION*

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Different batches of ACTH standardized on the basis of animal assay, may show considerable variation in potency when measured by their therapeutic effectiveness, eosinopenic response and their ability to stimulate the adrenal cortex to greater activity, in normal subjects and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Equivalent doses of different batches have often been observed to produce variable results in the same patient, and diseases under therapeutic control with 1 prepn. have sometimes escaped from this control when changed to other prepns. This variation in potency is most apparent when the hormone is admd. intramusc, but can also be demonstrated with intraven. admn. if sufficiently small doses are used. No extracts were found to be totally lacking in therapeutic effect or in their ability to stimulate the adrenal cortex, but their effectiveness may vary by a factor of 1:4, or even 1:8.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: