Relationship between ACTH expression in adrenal cortical tissue and plasma ACTH level in patients with adrenal cortical hyperplasia / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of ACTH in normal and hyperplastic adrenal cortical tissue, and to explore the relationship between plasma ACTH concentration and expression level of ACTH in adrenal cortical tissue of patients with adrenal cortical hyperplasia. Methods The expression of ACTH in adrenal cortical tissue was examined by immunohistochemical technique, and the result was analyzed by computer-assisted image analyzing system. Besides, plasma ACTH concentration was measured by RIA. The correlation between plasma ACTH concentration and expression level of ACTH in adrenal cortical tissue of patients with adrenal cortical hyperplasia was studied. Results The expression of ACTH was significantly higher in adrenal cortical tissue of patients with ACTH-independent adrenal cortical hyperplasia than those with ACTH-dependent adrenal cortical hyperplasia and normal adrenocortical tissue (both P0.05). Conclusion ACTH expression exists in normal adrenal cortical tissue. Local ACTH overproduction appears to participate in the pathogenesis of ACTH-independent adrenal cortical hyperplasia.The raised concentration of plasma ACTH influences the expression of ACTH in cortical tissue of patients with ACTH-dependent adrenal hyperplasia.