The abbreviation of adrenocorticotropic hormone is ACTH which is secreted by the anterior pituitary. This drug can stimulate the development and function of adrenal cortex, and mainly have an effect on the band of adrenal cortex to stimulate the secretion of glucocorticoid steroids.
ACTH is an important hormone to maintain the adrenal normal shape and function. The synthesis and secretion of ACTH carry on in the pituitary basophilic cells under the role of pituitary anterior pituitary corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Glucocorticoids play a long negative feedback on hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, inhibiting CRH and ACTH secreting. In physiological conditions, the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal gland keep a relative dynamic balance, ACTH deficiency will cause adrenal cortical atrophy, secretion decrease. The ACTH also has a short negative feedback regulation that controls its release.