Effect of ACTH in chronic lung disease: A study of five patients

doi:10.1016/0002-9343(51)90239-2

The American Journal of Medicine

Volume 10, Issue 2, February 1951, Pages 166-181

https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9343(51)90239-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

Studies of the effect of ACTH on the clinical course, pulmonary function and some metabolic aspects were carried out in five patients suffering from chronic lung disease.

Two of the five patients exhibited striking improvement while receiving ACTH. There was return to normal of nearly all the derangements in pulmonary function, with prompt regression to their previous state on discontinuance of ACTH. One of these patients was a middle aged man with advanced pulmonary emphysema, fibrosis, seasonal asthma for eighteen years and status asthmaticus for the past two years. The other was a young woman with Boeck's sarcoid. Unfortunately this patient's course was complicated by the development of mental depression which culminated in suicide after ACTH injections were stopped.

Two other patients became worse during ACTH administration. This response was thought to be related to fluid retention which taxed their already diminished cardiac reserve. One was a middle aged man with asthma since childhood complicated by pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema and cor pulmonale. The other was an elderly man with advanced pulmonary emphysema.

The fifth patient, an elderly man who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis and emphysema secondary to old inactive tuberculosis, exhibited neither benefit nor deleterious effect from prolonged administration of the hormone.

Consistent changes in the pattern of plasma electrolytes and glucose tolerance were not noted.

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^☆: This investigation was supported in part by a research grant from the Division of Research Grants and Fellowships of the National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service.

¹: From the New York University Research and Medical Services, Goldwater Memorial Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, New York University, Bellevue Medical Center, New York.

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Clinical studyEffect of ACTH in chronic lung disease: A study of five patients☆

Abstract

J. Biol. Chem.

J. Allergy

The clinical usefulness of ACTH and cortisone

New England J. Med.

The clinical usefulness of ACTH and cortisone

New England J. Med.

Effects of ACTH in primary atypical (viral) pneumonia and in pneumococcal pneumonia (preliminary report)

Studies on the effect of ACTH on eosinophilia and bronchial asthma

Effect of adrencorticotropic hormone on survival of normal rats during anoxia

Am. J. Physiol.

New England J. Med.

Pulmonary insufficiency. I. Physiological classification, clinical methods of analysis, standard values in normal subjects

Medicine

On the determination of the physiologically effective pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in alveolar air

Am. J. Physiol.

An experimental analysis in man of the oxygen pressure gradient from alveolar air to arterial blood during rest and exercise at sea level and at altitude

Am. J. Physiol.

“Ideal” alveolar air and the analysis of ventilation-perfusion relationships in the lungs

J. Appl. Physiol.

Clinical study
Effect of ACTH in chronic lung disease: A study of five patients☆