Enhancement of adrenocorticotrophic activity. III. Protein hydrolysates and amino acids

Abstract

Using adrenal ascorbic acid depletion as a method of assay, it was observed that highly degraded gelatin enhanced ACTH activity to a greater extent than gelatin when subcutaneously administered. This led to the investigation of effect of other polypeptides and amino acids upon ACTH activity. Casein hydrolysate augmented ACTH activity at least fourfold over that of gelatin. Glutamic acid, lysine and pyrrolidone enhanced ACTH activity to the same degree as casein hydrolysate; whereas versene was as effective as gelatin. Casein hydrolysate was ineffective in augmenting FSH activity. The possible mechanism for the enhancement of ACTH by these various agents is discussed.