INTERACTION OF ACTH AND ANGIOTENSIN-II IN THE CONTROL OF CORTICOSTEROID PLASMA-CONCENTRATION IN MAN

Angiotensin II infusion into normal human subjects increases the plasma concentration of aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone but leaves those of other corticosteroids unaffected. This contrasts with the response of adrenocortical cells in vitro. However, if a low, constant rate infusion of ACTH is maintained throughout increasing rates of angiotensin II infusion, the concentrations of cortisol, corticosterone and 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone also correlate positively and significantly with the prevailing angiotensin II concentration. Plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone levels also rise. A possible explanation of this finding is that the presence of ACTH is necessary for a full corticosteroid response to angiotensin II and that infused angiotensin II inhibits ACTH secretion. © 1979.