Corticotropic action of an intra-nasally applied synthetic ACTH derivative.

The corticotropic action of a synthetic ACTH derivative, D-Ser1 Lys17,18-1-18ACTH, after intranasal insufflation of 1 mg of the peptide was evaluated in 14 normal volunteers. Plasma cortisol and urinary 17-ketogenic steroids and 17-ketosteroids rose significantly over control values in all subjects (P less than 0.001). Plasma cortisol remained above the normal range for comparable clock times for 18 hr, but fell below 15 mug/100 ml after 12 hr. No evidence for suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis was found the day after ACTH administration, as judged by normal plasma and urinary steroid values and normal diurnal variation. Intranasal administration of long-acting ACTH derivatives may provide a simple, painless and effective way to stimulate endogenous corticosteroid secretion.