The Effect of Single and Repeated Injections of Adrenocorticotropin on Lipids in Rat Adrenals

A study of the influence of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) on various adrenal lipid fractions of intact rats indicated that single and repeated doses (3 or 10 days administration) of ACTH had a lipolytic effect on adrenal fat. A decrease of cholesterol and triglyceride content of the adrenal gland after a single dose of ACTH was observed. However, after 3 days injection of ACTH, only the cholesterol concentration diminished. The triglyceride content was the same as that in saline-injected control animals. On the other hand, a significant increase in triglycerides was noted in adrenal gland after 10 days of ACTH injections. No substantial changes in unesterified fatty acids and phospholipids were noted in response to a single dose, or to repeated doses of ACTH.