Oral ACTH (H.P. Acthar(A?)Gel) inhibits IL-1 and IL-17 secretion in humans. Biomed Pharmacother 2012 Feb;66(1):36-9
Date
01/17/2012Pubmed ID
22244960DOI
10.1016/j.biopha.2011.11.009Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84856656063 6 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: We have shown that oral corticotropin hormone (ACTH) decreased clinical score, inflammatory foci and T(eff) IL-17 in fed and adoptive transferred recipient mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Therefore, we determined whether oral administration of ACTH had immunological and endocrinological effects and was safe in humans.
METHODS: Three groups of three healthy adult volunteers were assayed for total serum ACTH, cortisol and a set of pro-inflammatory and counter-regulatory cytokines after ingested dose(s) of ACTH 4 IU (n=3), 41 IU (n=3), or 123 IU (n=3) over 5 days.
RESULTS: There were no safety issues during the trial. There was no increase in total ACTH levels after day 1 or day 5. There was no significant increase in total cortisol among the groups comparing day 1 to day 5. There were significant decreases in the inflammatory cytokine IL-1 and IL-17 secretion at day 6 compared to baseline with the 123 IU dose but not after the 4 IU and 41 IU doses.
CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence for the safety and an immunological effect of oral ACTH in humans. It is unknown if the change in IL-1 and IL-17 reflects a local GI-mediated effect or effects following systemic absorption of ACTH.
Author List
Brod SA, Bauer V, Hood ZAuthor
Staley A. Brod MD Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Administration, OralAdrenocorticotropic Hormone
Adult
Cohort Studies
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Gels
Hormones
Humans
Interleukin-1
Interleukin-17
Male
Prospective Studies
Time Factors
