Adrenocorticotropic hormone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) is a polypeptide hormone, secreted from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus.
ACTH stimulates the adrenal gland and boosts the synthesis of corticosteroids, mainly glucocorticoids but also mineralcorticoids and sex steroids (androgens). Together with ACTH the hormones lipotropin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), β-endorphin and met-enkephalin are also released.
The half-life of ACTH in human blood is about 10 minutes.
Related topics
Addison's disease, adrenoleukodystrophy, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome, ectopic tumor, HPA Axis, Nelson's syndrome,
Referenced By
List of biomolecules | Reference ranges for common blood tests
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