ACTH (1-16) is a peptide fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone , a peptide hormone found in the brain that is involved in the biological stress response.1 It binds to melanocortin receptors (MCRs; Kis = 0.267, 19, 698, and 2,600 nM for MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, respectively).2 ACTH (1-16) (160 μg/kg, i.v.) increases mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) following bleeding-induced hypotension in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock 15-30 minutes after administration.3 It increases grooming behavior and the incidence of stretching and yawning syndrome (SYS) in rats when administered intraventricularly at 0.05 or 2 μg.4
References
1. Strand, F.L., Lee, S.J., Zuccarelli, L.A., et al. Non-corticotropic ACTH peptides modulate nerve development and regeneration. Rev. Neurosci. 4(4), 321-363 (1993).
2. Schi•th, H.B., Muceniece, R., Larsson, M., et al. The melanocortin 1, 3, 4 or 5 receptors do not have a binding epitope for ACTH beyond the sequence of α-MSH. J. Endocrinol. 155(1), 73-78 (1997).
3. Bertolini, A., Guarini, S., Rompianesi, E., et al. α-MSH and other ACTH fragments improve cardiovascular function and survival in experimental hemorrhagic shock. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 130(1-2), 19-26 (1986).
4. Gispen, W.H., Wiegant, V.M., Greven, H.M., et al. The induction of excessive grooming in the rat by intraventricular application of peptides derived from ACTH: Structure-activity studies. Life Sci. 17(4), 645-652 (1975).