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Adrenocorticotropic hormone (AKTG)

All processes in a human body are regulated by hormones – substances which are produced by hemadens and thrown in blood. With a blood flow they get to the right place, a so-called target where exert a certain impact. In particular, adrenocorticotropic hormone (the second name corticotropin) is produced in a brain, in a front share of a hypophysis. Its function in an organism is impact on adrenal glands which, in turn, too are hemadens, emitting hormones which are very important for normal life activity.

Functions of adrenocorticotropic hormone in an organism

Adrenocorticotropic hormone exerts impact on production of the following hormones of adrenal glands:

Glucocorticoids which treat corticosterone, a cortisone, cortisol.
Glucocorticoids are antishock and antistress hormones, they can be compared to system of the emergency help in an organism, a peculiar service 911;

Sex hormones: androgens, estrogen, progesterone.
These hormones are responsible for puberty, reproductive functions of an organism and for what we define as courage or feminity;

Indirectly – on development of catecholamines to which widely known adrenaline belongs.

Thus, corticotropin is responsible for survival in critical situations, it influences ability to bring forth offspring, the muscle bulk, metabolism, body resistance to infections and ability to adapt to new conditions depends on it. As we see, it is difficult to revaluate value of adrenocorticotropic hormone in an organism.

Determination of the AKTG level in blood: norm and pathology

Content of adrenocorticotropic hormone in an organism – size non-constant. Its level in blood depends both on time of day, and on psychological state, and on an exercise stress, and at women also on a menstrual cycle.

The maximum quantity of AKTG collects in blood in the morning, by 7-8 o'clock reaching the peak, and by the evening its development decreases, at 21-23 o'clock falling to a daily minimum.

In medical practice need of determination of level of adrenocorticotropic hormone for blood serum arises in the following situations:

Control of a condition of an organism at long therapy by glucocorticoids;
Differential diagnosis of a hypertension;
Differential diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency;
Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of an Icenco-Cushing syndrome;
Increased fatigue, stressoneustoychivost, syndrome of chronic fatigue (SCF).

Both the shortcoming, and excess of this hormone can lead to serious failures in an organism, or be a consequence of a disease.

The lowered maintenance of AKTG in blood can be a symptom of the following pathologies:

Hypophysis depression of function (pituitary insufficiency);
Depression of function of bark of adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency);
Tumors of adrenal glands.

Also low level of adrenocorticotropin happens at therapy by glucocorticoids.

Increase in the AKTG level in blood serum can testify to the following problems:

Itsenko-Cushing's disease;
Addison's disease;
Hypophysis tumor;
Inborn adrenal insufficiency;
Adrenoleykodistrofiya;
Nelson syndrome;
Epinephral virilism;
Ectopic AKTG-syndrome;
Ectopic KRG-syndrome;
Conditions of an organism after the postponed injuries or surgical interventions.

Also increase in the AKTG level happens at reception of some medicines (insulin, метопирон, AKTG in injections).

Blood test on AKTG

For a research of content of corticotropin in blood serum take blood from a vein.

As the level of hormone depends on many factors, it is necessary to be prepared for the analysis – so there will be a confidence that the result is not distorted.

Preparation for the analysis is carried out as follows:

In 24 hours prior to blood testing for the analysis it is necessary to stop reception of all medicines;
In 24 hours to try to exclude any exercise and psychoemotional stresses;
In 12 hours prior to a research, not later – the meal, last before the analysis;
In 3 hours prior to a research it is forbidden to smoke.

Normal, or reference, AKTG value at measurement in vitro is the indicator from 9 to 52 pg/ml (пикограмм on a milliliter).

Adrenocorticotropic hormone in therapy

AKTG for the medical purposes receive from a hypophysis of pigs or cattle.

It comes to drugstores in bottles in the form of light powder. Accept this drug in the form of intramuscular injections for what before use powder is dissolved. Concentration as well as the dosage, is selected depending on indications.

AKTG apply in therapy of the following diseases:

Syndrome of chronic fatigue;
Adrenal insufficiency;
Rheumatism;
Polyarthritis;
Gout;
Bronchial asthma;
Skin diseases with an allergic or autoimmune component (dermatitis, eczema, neurodermatitis);
Allergy;
Tuberculosis;
Leukosis.

Reception of corticotropin at a hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, a peptic ulcer of a stomach and a duodenum, severe forms of a diabetes mellitus, psychosis is contraindicated. To people of advanced age of an injection of hormone appoint with care and carry out under medical observation.

Whether you know that:

The most rare disease – a disease the Kura. Only representatives of the tribe Faure in New Guinea are ill it. The patient dies of laughter. It is considered that eating of a human brain is an origin of a disease.

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