HUMAN CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE (HCRH) TEST - SEX AND AGE-DIFFERENCES IN PLASMA ACTH AND CORTISOL RESPONSES AND THEIR REPRODUCIBILITYIN HEALTHY-ADULTS

The effectiveness and safety of MCI-028, a synthetic human corticotrop in-releasing hormone (hCRH), as a diagnostic drug were examined in 65 healthy male and 24 healthy female adult volunteers. Mean maximum conc entrations of plasma ACTH and cortisol after intraveneous administrati on of 100 mu g of MCI-028 were 3.0 and 2.0 times their basal concentra tions, respectively, and there were no significant age or sex differen ces in the responses. Good reproducibility was observed in the respons es in 59 male subjects who received a second administration after 1 to 2 weeks. Although slight adverse reactions such as mild and transient hot flushing were observed, these were not serious.