Corticotropin is another name for ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).
- It is a peptide hormone made in the anterior pituitary gland.
- Its main job: stimulate the adrenal cortex (outer layer of adrenal glands) to produce cortisol and other steroid hormones.
So, whenever you see corticotropin, you can think of it as the same hormone as ACTH.
🔬 How It Works
- Hypothalamus releases CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone).
- Pituitary releases corticotropin (ACTH) into the bloodstream.
- Adrenal glands respond by producing cortisol (stress hormone), aldosterone (fluid balance), and some androgens (sex hormones).
- Feedback loop: Rising cortisol levels send signals back to the brain to reduce CRH and corticotropin secretion.
⚡ Functions of Corticotropin
- Regulates cortisol production, essential for stress response.
- Helps manage blood sugar and energy availability.
- Indirectly influences immune system and inflammation through cortisol.
- Plays a role in circadian rhythm (higher in the morning, lower at night).
🩺 Clinical Context
- Synthetic corticotropin: Used as a medication (e.g., in ACTH stimulation tests) to check adrenal gland function.
- Too much corticotropin: Often from a pituitary tumor (Cushing’s disease) → leads to excess cortisol.
- Too little corticotropin: Seen in pituitary damage or Addison’s disease → leads to low cortisol, fatigue, and low blood pressure.
👉 In short: Corticotropin = ACTH. It’s the pituitary hormone that drives adrenal cortisol production, keeping stress response, energy, and inflammation in balance.