TISSUE RETENTION OF CORTISOL AND METABOLITES INDUCED BY ACTH: AN EXTRA-ADRENAL EFFECT1

Abstract

ACTH, both exogenously administered and endogenously produced, causes a retention of cortisol and its metabolites in blood, kidney, thymus and liver of adrenalectomized mice. Exogenous ACTH causes an inhibition of conjugation of corticoid metabolites. Following administration of cortisol-4-C¹⁴, these radioactive compounds were found in the livers of normal and adrenalectomized mice (ACTH-treated and non-treated): tetrahydrocortisol; tetrahydrocortisone; Reichstein’s substance “E”; the 20α epimer of Reichstein’s substance “E”; Reichstein’s substance “U”; and cortisone. Remaining unidentified were several compounds other than those listed whose structures were established.