Study of the effect of ACTH and cortisol on the plasms lipids in man using thin-layer chromatography

This is a study of the action of ACTH and cortisol on plasma lipids using thin-layer chromatography and evaluation by densitometry. We have studied the action of 50 I.U. of ACTH in eight healthy individuals. We found an increase of free fatty acids after four hours and of triglycerides and esterified cholesterol after six hours. Free cholesterol levels declined after another six hours, the decrease becoming more intense after twenty-four hours. After twenty-four hours lecithin underwent a decline which is accompanied by an increase of lisolecithin. There was a decrease in the total amount of phospholipids. Seven patients received 100 mg. of cortisol intravenously over a period of ten minutes. We obtained an increase in free fatty acids after four hours and an increase of cholesterol after half and hour. We concluded that ACTH activates peripheral lipolysis thereby facilitating the hepatic synthesis of triglycerides and that it exerts a stimulating action on the lecithin-cholesterol-acyl-transferase system. Cortisol acts by facilitating the synthesis of triglycerides in the liver and increasing the hydrolysis of triglycerides in the plasma.