0
Other Articles |

ACTH AND CORTISONE IN DIFFUSE COLLAGEN DISEASE AND CHRONIC DERMATOSES: Title and subTitle BreakDIFFERENTIAL THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS

Edwin N. Irons, M.D.; John P. Ayer, M.D.; R. Gordon Brown, M.D.; S. Howard Armstrong, Jr., M.D.
[+] Author Affiliations

The laboratory investigation involved in this study was supported in large part by the Otho S. A. Sprague Memorial Institute of Chicago.

This article has been abbreviated for publication in The Journal by omission of figures 5 to 12 and 14 to 16. These will appear in the authors' reprints.

Dr. John R. Mote of Armour and Company provided a supply of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone for initiation of these studies in the calendar year 1949. The cortisone was obtained from Merck & Company, Rahway, N. J.

Dr. George M. Hass guided us in the interpretation of histological material; Dr. J. H. Mitchell was consulting dermatologist, Drs. Evan M. Barton, W. G. Hibbs, B. G. Nelson and S. G. Taylor III participated in the study of patients on their respective services; Dr. William B. Looney of the resident staff arranged the details of clinical management; Drs. F. E. Senear and J. Murray Riddell Jr., of the Research and Educational Hospital of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, participated in the study of patients on their service; Drs. Gordon B. Fauley, J. M. McKusky and Cleveland J. White referred patients to this hospital for investigation and therapy, and Miss Beulah Hunzicker, Chief Dietitian of the Presbyterian Hospital, assisted in the dietary management of the patients under study.


Chicago

Clinical Associates in Medicine (Rush), University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Assistant Attending Physicians, the Presbyterian Hospital of the City of Chicago (Drs. Irons and Brown); Assistant in Pathology (Rush), University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Resident in Pathology, The Presbyterian Hospital of the City of Chicago (Dr. Ayer), and Professor of Medicine (Rush), University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Chairman, Rush Department of Medicine, The Presbyterian Hospital of the City of Chicago (Dr. Armstrong).


JAMA. 1951;145(12):861-869. doi:10.1001/jama.1951.02920300001001
Text Size: A A A
Published online

This is a report of our experience with 16 patients under therapy with pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone for a number of the diffuse "collagen diseases" associated with severe, chronic dermatoses.

A considerable body of information has appeared in recent months dealing with the general aspects of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone therapy and with commonly encountered complications. Striking alterations in disease processes through the use of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone have been amply demonstrated by investigators working with Hench,1 Thorn,2 Baehr3 and others.4 The diseases affected include rheumatoid arthritis, acute rheumatic fever, disseminated lupus erythematosus and a number of the chronic dermatoses. The range indicates that cortisone and allied corticosteroids are not specific antirheumatics, but have a specificity for some factor common to all these diseases. The alteration in disease processes toward remission has, in general, been temporary or incomplete. However, in those instances

REFERENCES

Hench, P. S.; Kendall, E. C.; Slocumb, C. H., and Polley, H. F.:  Effects of Cortisone Acetate and Pituitary ACTH on Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatic Fever and Certain Other Conditions: A Study in Clinical Physiology , Arch. Int. Med. 85:545-666 ( (April) ) 1950;.
Thorn, G. W.; Forsham, P. H.; Frawley, T. F.; Hill, S. R., Jr.; Roche, M.; Staehelin, D., and Wilson, D. L.:  Medical Progress: the Clinical Use fulness of ACTH and Cortisone , New England J. Med. 242: 824-833 ( (May) ) 1950;.
Baehr, G., and Soffer, L. J.:  Treatment of Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus with Cortisone and Adrenocorticotropin , Bull. New York Acad. Me[ill] 26: 229-234 ( (April) ) 1950;.
Proceedings of the First Clinical ACTH Conference , edited by J. R. Mote, Philadelphia, The Blakiston Company, 1950;.
Plotz, C. M.; Blunt J. W., Jr., and Ragan, C.:  Effect of Pituitary Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) on Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus , Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 61:913-918 ( (June) ) 1950;.
Oppel, T. W.; Coker, C., and Milhorat, A. T.:  The Effect of Pituitary Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in Dermatomyositis , Ann Int. Med. 32:318-324 ( (Feb.) ) 1950;.
The low sodium diet of the Presbyterian Hospital contains less than 0.5 Gm. of sodium chloride daily.
At the time this study was initiated, the consensus of investigators indicated that 100 mg. of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone was comparable to 200 mg. of cortisone. Subsequent study has shown that 100 mg. of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone approximates the effect of 250 to 300 mg. of cortisone. Doses of 250 to 300 mg. of cortisone were not employed in this study on the differential effects of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone in collagen diseases because initial observations indicated to us a qualitative rather than a quantitative differential effect. The increased incidence of undesirable physiological effects with larger doses of cortisone was felt to be a contraindication to these doses.
Rose, E., and Pillsbury, D. M.:  Lupus Erythematosus (Erythematodes) and Ovarian Function: Observations on a Possible Relationship, with Report of 6 Cases , Ann. Int. Med. 21: 1022-1034 ( (Dec.) ) 1944;.
Contratto, A. W.:  Periarteritis Nodosa: A Report of 2 Cases, One with Special Reference to Sensitivity Factors , Arch. Int. Med. 80:567-578 ( (Nov.) ) 1947;.
Fischel, E. E.:  The Relationship of Adrenal Cortical Activity to Immune Responses , Bull. New York Acad. Med. 26: 255-260 ( (April) ) 1950;.
Armstrong, S. H., Jr., and Hawn, C. V. Z.: Personal communication to the authors.
Waring, G. W., Jr., and Weinstein, L.:  Effect of Gamma Globulin on Circulating Human Complement , Science 105: 479 ( (May 2) ) 1947;.
Schwab, L.; Moll, F. C.; Hall, T.; Brean, H.; Kirk, M.; Hawn, C. V. Z., and Janeway, C. A.:  Experimental Hypersensitivity in the Rabbit , J. Exper. Med. 91:505-526 ( (May) ) 1950;.
Kolmer, J. A., and Boerner, F.: Approved Laboratory Technic , New York, Appleton-Gentury-Crofts Company, Inc., 1945;, p. 677.
Mayer, M. M.; Eaton, B. B., and Heidelberger, M.:  Spectrophotometric Standardization of Complement for Fixation Tests , J. Immunol. 53: 31-35 [ (May) ] 1946;.
Mayer, M. M.; Osler, A. G.; Bier, O. G., and Heidelberger, M.:  The Activating Effect of Magnesium and Other Cations on the Hemolytic Function of Complement , J. Exper. Med. 84:535-548 [ (Dec.) ] 1946;
Wolbach, S. B., and Bessey, O. A.:  Tissue Changes in Vitamin Deficiencies , Physiol. Rev. 22: 233-289 ( (July) ) 1942;.
 Chemical Tests and Their Interpretation; Nutrition Surveys: Their Techniques and Value, Committee on Nutrition Surveys, Food and Nutrition Board, Division of Biology and Agriculture , Bull. Nat. Res. Council 117:47-81 ( (May) ) 1949;.
Shick, R. M.; Baggenstoss, A. H., and Polley, H. F.:  Effects of Cortisone and ACTH on Periarteritis Nodosa and Cranial Arteritis: Preliminary Report , Proc. Staff Meet., Mayo Clin. 25:135 ( (March 15) ) 1950;.
Armstrong, S. H., Jr.; Budka, M. J. E.; Morrison, K. C., and Hasson, M.:  Preparation and Properties of Serum and Plasma Proteins: XII. Refractive Properties of Proteins of Human Plasma and Certain Purified Fractions , J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69: 1747-1753 ( (July) ) 1947;.
Armstrong, S. H., Jr.:  Mechanisms of Action of Serum Albumin Therapy in Internal Medicine , Am. J. Med. 4:390-397 [ (March) ] 1948;.
Thorn, G. W.; Forsham, P. H.; Prunty, F. T. G., and Hills, A. G.:  A Test for Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency: Response to Pituitary Adrenocorticotropic Hormone , J. A. M. A. 137: 1005-1009 ( (July 17) ) 1948;.
It is of interest that the initial eosinophil drop occurred when the pretreatment level was approximately 300 per cubic millimeter, and the failure of drop was encountered when the pretreatment level was below 100 per cubic millimeter.
Randolph, T. G., and Rollins, J. P.:  Eosinophil Observations in Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Therapy , in Mote, J. R.: Proceedings of the First Clinical ACTH Conference , Philadelphia, The Blakiston Company, 1950;, pp. 1-13.
Dr. Louis R. Limarzi, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, made careful bone marrow studies on three of our patients who had disseminated lupus. Dr. Limarzi reported moderate to marked bone marrow stimulation following treatment with pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisone, or both, and the presence of L. E. cells, clumping of the neutrophils, or both, even after therapy.
These patients are in addition to other patients with the syndrome under observation in this clinic during the past year.
In one patient with incipient but not fully developed potassium insufficiency, cause was found in the presence of undisintegrated potassium chloride tablets in the stools.
Hoefer, P. F. A., and Glaser, G. H.:  Effects of Pituitary Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Therapy: Electroencephalographic and Neuropsychiatric Changes in 15 Patients , J. A. M. A. 143:620-624 ( (June 17) ) 1950;.

First Page Preview

First page PDF preview

Figures

Tables

Interactive Graphics

Video

Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

Hench, P. S.; Kendall, E. C.; Slocumb, C. H., and Polley, H. F.:  Effects of Cortisone Acetate and Pituitary ACTH on Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatic Fever and Certain Other Conditions: A Study in Clinical Physiology , Arch. Int. Med. 85:545-666 ( (April) ) 1950;.
Thorn, G. W.; Forsham, P. H.; Frawley, T. F.; Hill, S. R., Jr.; Roche, M.; Staehelin, D., and Wilson, D. L.:  Medical Progress: the Clinical Use fulness of ACTH and Cortisone , New England J. Med. 242: 824-833 ( (May) ) 1950;.
Baehr, G., and Soffer, L. J.:  Treatment of Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus with Cortisone and Adrenocorticotropin , Bull. New York Acad. Me[ill] 26: 229-234 ( (April) ) 1950;.
Proceedings of the First Clinical ACTH Conference , edited by J. R. Mote, Philadelphia, The Blakiston Company, 1950;.
Plotz, C. M.; Blunt J. W., Jr., and Ragan, C.:  Effect of Pituitary Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) on Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus , Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 61:913-918 ( (June) ) 1950;.
Oppel, T. W.; Coker, C., and Milhorat, A. T.:  The Effect of Pituitary Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in Dermatomyositis , Ann Int. Med. 32:318-324 ( (Feb.) ) 1950;.
The low sodium diet of the Presbyterian Hospital contains less than 0.5 Gm. of sodium chloride daily.
At the time this study was initiated, the consensus of investigators indicated that 100 mg. of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone was comparable to 200 mg. of cortisone. Subsequent study has shown that 100 mg. of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone approximates the effect of 250 to 300 mg. of cortisone. Doses of 250 to 300 mg. of cortisone were not employed in this study on the differential effects of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone in collagen diseases because initial observations indicated to us a qualitative rather than a quantitative differential effect. The increased incidence of undesirable physiological effects with larger doses of cortisone was felt to be a contraindication to these doses.
Rose, E., and Pillsbury, D. M.:  Lupus Erythematosus (Erythematodes) and Ovarian Function: Observations on a Possible Relationship, with Report of 6 Cases , Ann. Int. Med. 21: 1022-1034 ( (Dec.) ) 1944;.
Contratto, A. W.:  Periarteritis Nodosa: A Report of 2 Cases, One with Special Reference to Sensitivity Factors , Arch. Int. Med. 80:567-578 ( (Nov.) ) 1947;.
Fischel, E. E.:  The Relationship of Adrenal Cortical Activity to Immune Responses , Bull. New York Acad. Med. 26: 255-260 ( (April) ) 1950;.
Armstrong, S. H., Jr., and Hawn, C. V. Z.: Personal communication to the authors.
Waring, G. W., Jr., and Weinstein, L.:  Effect of Gamma Globulin on Circulating Human Complement , Science 105: 479 ( (May 2) ) 1947;.
Schwab, L.; Moll, F. C.; Hall, T.; Brean, H.; Kirk, M.; Hawn, C. V. Z., and Janeway, C. A.:  Experimental Hypersensitivity in the Rabbit , J. Exper. Med. 91:505-526 ( (May) ) 1950;.
Kolmer, J. A., and Boerner, F.: Approved Laboratory Technic , New York, Appleton-Gentury-Crofts Company, Inc., 1945;, p. 677.
Mayer, M. M.; Eaton, B. B., and Heidelberger, M.:  Spectrophotometric Standardization of Complement for Fixation Tests , J. Immunol. 53: 31-35 [ (May) ] 1946;.
Mayer, M. M.; Osler, A. G.; Bier, O. G., and Heidelberger, M.:  The Activating Effect of Magnesium and Other Cations on the Hemolytic Function of Complement , J. Exper. Med. 84:535-548 [ (Dec.) ] 1946;
Wolbach, S. B., and Bessey, O. A.:  Tissue Changes in Vitamin Deficiencies , Physiol. Rev. 22: 233-289 ( (July) ) 1942;.
 Chemical Tests and Their Interpretation; Nutrition Surveys: Their Techniques and Value, Committee on Nutrition Surveys, Food and Nutrition Board, Division of Biology and Agriculture , Bull. Nat. Res. Council 117:47-81 ( (May) ) 1949;.
Shick, R. M.; Baggenstoss, A. H., and Polley, H. F.:  Effects of Cortisone and ACTH on Periarteritis Nodosa and Cranial Arteritis: Preliminary Report , Proc. Staff Meet., Mayo Clin. 25:135 ( (March 15) ) 1950;.
Armstrong, S. H., Jr.; Budka, M. J. E.; Morrison, K. C., and Hasson, M.:  Preparation and Properties of Serum and Plasma Proteins: XII. Refractive Properties of Proteins of Human Plasma and Certain Purified Fractions , J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69: 1747-1753 ( (July) ) 1947;.
Armstrong, S. H., Jr.:  Mechanisms of Action of Serum Albumin Therapy in Internal Medicine , Am. J. Med. 4:390-397 [ (March) ] 1948;.
Thorn, G. W.; Forsham, P. H.; Prunty, F. T. G., and Hills, A. G.:  A Test for Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency: Response to Pituitary Adrenocorticotropic Hormone , J. A. M. A. 137: 1005-1009 ( (July 17) ) 1948;.
It is of interest that the initial eosinophil drop occurred when the pretreatment level was approximately 300 per cubic millimeter, and the failure of drop was encountered when the pretreatment level was below 100 per cubic millimeter.
Randolph, T. G., and Rollins, J. P.:  Eosinophil Observations in Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Therapy , in Mote, J. R.: Proceedings of the First Clinical ACTH Conference , Philadelphia, The Blakiston Company, 1950;, pp. 1-13.
Dr. Louis R. Limarzi, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, made careful bone marrow studies on three of our patients who had disseminated lupus. Dr. Limarzi reported moderate to marked bone marrow stimulation following treatment with pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisone, or both, and the presence of L. E. cells, clumping of the neutrophils, or both, even after therapy.
These patients are in addition to other patients with the syndrome under observation in this clinic during the past year.
In one patient with incipient but not fully developed potassium insufficiency, cause was found in the presence of undisintegrated potassium chloride tablets in the stools.
Hoefer, P. F. A., and Glaser, G. H.:  Effects of Pituitary Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Therapy: Electroencephalographic and Neuropsychiatric Changes in 15 Patients , J. A. M. A. 143:620-624 ( (June 17) ) 1950;.
CME Course for:


You need to register in order to view this quiz.


To understand the clinical management of acute heart failure syndromes.
Accreditation Information The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The AMA designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM per course. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Physicians who complete the CME course and score at least 80% correct on the quiz are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM.
Note: You must get at least of the answers correct to pass this quiz.
Note: You must get at least of the answers correct to pass this quiz.
You have not filled in all the answers to complete this quiz
The following questions were not answered:
Sorry, you have unsuccessfully completed this CME quiz with a score of
The following questions were not answered correctly:
For CME Course: A Proposed Model for Initial Assessment and Management of Acute Heart Failure Syndromes
Indicate what changes(s) you will implement in your practice, if any, based on this CME course.
To view and print your certificate and access a summary of your CME courses go to My CME.
NOTE:
Citing articles are presented as examples only. In non-demo SCM6 implementation, integration with CrossRef’s “Cited By” API will populate this tab (http://www.crossref.org/citedby.html).
Submit a Response

Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.

Related Content

Customize your page view by dragging & repositioning the boxes below.