In vitro trophic effects of synthetic ACTH1-24.

In vitro trophic effects of adrenocorticotrophin1-24 (ACTH1-24, Synacthen) on adrenal cells were studied, using an in vitro assay system of guinea-pig adrenal segments kept in organ culture. Two separate methods for detecting growth activity were used, namely the measurement of thymidine kinase and a nucleic acid cytophotometric method. Synthetic ACTH was able to induce growth in the adrenal explants at very low concentrations (10-25 fg ml-1). Biphasic dose-response curves were obtained, comparable to those described for other cytochemical bioassays. The principles of this assay system may allow the development of a new bioassay for the measurement of plasma concentrations of ACTH or antibodies mimicking the growth effect of this trophic hormone.