Plasma ACTH and Cortisol Concentration of Coronary-Prone Subjects

Abstract

SummaryThe plasma corticotropin and cortisol concentrations of 9 coronary-prone (Type A behavior pattern) and 10 coronary-resistant (Type B behavior pattern) subjects were studied at 6 time intervals during their waking hours. The average plasma corticotropin content of the 9 Type A subjects was significantly greater during the total period measured than that of the 10 Type B subjects. The average daily peak value of plasma corticotropin of the Type A subjects also was found to be significantly increased. No significant differences were found in either the average or peak plasma cortisol values between these 2 groups of subjects.The authors express their thanks to Drs. Berson and Yalow for their ACTH analyses of the plasma samples of these subjects.