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Assessment of 11β-Hydroxylase Activity with Plasma Corticosterone, Deoxycorticosterone, Cortisol, and Deoxycortisol: Role of ACTH and Angiotensin

Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Research Center, University of Utah College of Medicine, and Veterans Administration Hospital Salt Lake City, Utah 84132

Reprint requests to: Charles D. West, M.D., Dept. of Internal Medicine, Univ. of Utah College of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132.

In this study we evaluated the role of ACTH and angiotensin on regulation of activities of 11β-hydroxylases of the adrenal cortex. The ratio of the plasma concentrations of 11 deoxycorticosterone (DOC) to plasma corticosterone (B) reflected the activity of the enzyme of the B and/or aldosterone pathways, and the ratio of plasma 11-deoxycortisol (S) to plasma cortisol (F) as the activity of the enzyme in the F pathway. In normal subjects, both ratios were significantly lower at 0800–0900 h (Doc to B.01 ±.004, mean ± SE, n = 10; and S to F.01 ±.003) than at 2000 h (DOC to B.028 ±.024 and S to F.015 ±.005). The plasma levels of DOC, B, S and F were all significantly lower at 2000–2100 h than at 0800–0900 h. In contrast 9 patients with Cushing's syndrome exhibited no diurnal change in the ratios. The ratios increased substantially following dexamethasone or metyrapone administration. A high or low salt diet and an angiotensin infusion produced no significant effect on the ratios. The plasma concentration of all four steroids was increased by more than 50% by an infusion of angiotensin. Four hours after administration of 80 mg of Lasix at 0800 h to 10 normal subjects, the ratios of DOC to B and S to F increased significantly (P <.02), an effect possibly related to a decreased secretion of ACTH.

Conclusions: 1) 11β-hydroxylase activity of the B and/or aldosterone and F pathways appears to change in parallel with ACTH secretion, and 2) although angiotensin stimulates steroidogenesis of the pathways, it has no apparent effect on 11β- hydroxylase activity.

^* Clinical Investigator (5658-01)of V.A.H.

Supported also in part by U.S. Giants RR-64, AM-2 and HL 13762.

Received May 3, 1976.

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