[Hypertension induced by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)]

Studies of ACTH-induced hypertension in sheep have enabled the hypertensinogenic actions of steroid hormones to be separated from their classical glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid actions. In man ACTH produces systolic hypertension which can be reproduced by infusion of cortisol, but not deoxycorticosterone, at rates appropriate for conditions of ACTH stimulation. Whether steroids raise blood pressure in man by a hypertensinogenic action distinct from their glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activities remains to be determined.