FREE 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROID LEVEL AND EOSINOPHIL CELL COUNT DURING CORTICOTROPHIN TESTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effect of intravenous infusions for 5 hours of 20–25 IU corticotrophin on the free 17-OHCS content in the plasma and on the number of the eosinophil cells in the blood was studied in patients with normal adrenocortical function and in patients with allergic diseases receiving 40–60 mg cortisol daily in a dose which suppresses the function of the adrenal cortex, as well as in hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized patients. When the maximal content of free 17-OHCS during the corticotrophin infusion was above 25–30 μg/100 ml an inverse correlation with the number of eosinophils was found. When, however, the free 17-OHCS level reached in the plasma was in the normal range (< 25 μg/100 ml) or very low no correlation was found between the free 17-OHCS content in the plasma and the percentage changes in the number of eosinophils in the blood. In general the responses in the content of free 17-OHCS in the plasma and also in the number of the eosinophil cells in the blood, to intravenous corticotrophin administration is a good indicator of the adrenocortical function.