Comparison of the Adrenocorticotrophic Activities of Two Synthetic Polypeptides: Synacthen and DW 75

Abstract

Summary: The adrenocorticotrophic activities of two synthetic polypeptides, Synacthen (Ciba) and DW 75 (Sandoz), were compared in two groups of patients having a variety of arthritic disorders. Compared with Synacthen, injected either intramuscularly or intravenously, intravenous DW 75 was found to have a longer duration of adrenocorticotrophic activity (measured by plasma li-hydroxycorticosteroid levels) in both groups of patients, while intramuscularly administered DW 75 did not appear to be absorbed weli.

ASSESSMENT OF a TEST OF ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION USING Β1–25 CORTICOTROPHIN

“…The adrenocorticotrophic action of Pentacosactride ([1-D-serine, 4-norleucine, 25-valinamide]-/?1~25corti-cotrophin) has been demonstrated both in vitro (Doepfner, 1966) and in vivo (Jenny, Muller & Mach, 1966;Thorpe & Grivas, 1968 Taylor, 1968). It has been shown to have a longer duration of action than Synacthen when equipotent doses are given intravenously (Downie et al 1968). It occurred to the present authors that the prolonged effect of a single injection of Pentacosactride on the adrenal cortex might be equivalent to that of a continuous infusion of ACTH and provide a convenient clinical test of adrenal function.…”