A CLINICAL BIOASSAY METHOD OF LONG-ACTING CORTICOTROPHIN PREPARATIONS AND ITS APPLICATION AS AN INTRAMUSCULAR CORTICOTROPHIN TEST

Abstract

ABSTRACT The corticosteroidogenetic potency of a corticotrophin preparation – given as an intravenous infusion – was compared in asthmatic patients with that of the same preparation dissolved in an aqueous polyphloretin phosphate solution and given as a single intramuscular injection. Four-point assays with a completely randomized block design were employed, each patient being injected with each of the four doses in a different order. The results indicate that for the purposes of a clinical corticotrophin (ACTH)-test, the 8-hours' intravenous infusion of corticotrophin can suitably be replaced by a single intramuscular injection of a mixture of corticotrophin and polyphloretin phosphate. The clinical bioassay described appears also suitable for the assessment of the corticosteroidogenetic potency of various types of long-acting corticotrophin preparations.