THE EFFECT OF CORTICOTROPHIN ON THE ACTIVITY OF MAMMALIAN EPIDERMAL MELANOCYTES

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Abstract
SUMMARY: 1. The effect of a commercial preparation of corticotrophin (Acthar gel, Armour Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.) on the melanocytes and melanin in the skin of the anterior abdominal wall and areola has been studied in pure black and pure red male guinea-pigs. The hormone was injected subcutaneously in a dose of 0·4 i.u. once daily 5 days/week for 1 month. 2. The hormone produced a marked reduction in the amount of melanin in the melanocytes; the greatest effect was seen in the skin of the anterior abdominal wall. In half the specimens the amount of free melanin was also reduced. There was a tendency for a slight increase of the length and complexity of the dendritic processes. A statistical analysis of the melanocyte counts showed no change. 3. It is concluded that in the intact mammal corticotrophin inhibits melanogenesis probably indirectly by the release of cortisol from the suprarenal gland.

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