Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 47, 829-833, Copyright © 1978 by Endocrine Society
Diurnal 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone pattern in human stable hypertension
F Sparano, F Sciarra, J Sulon, G Giaquinto, MA Mercuri, A Odoardi, C Tosticroce, P Genard and C Conti
Diurnal 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) pattern was studied
with RIA technique in 33 hypertensive patients in supine position and on
normal sodium diet. The compound was evaluated every 2 h from 0800-2000 h.
Simultaneously, plasma aldosterone and cortisol were measured. Abnormal
18-OH-DOC behavior was observed in only 2 out of 4 patients with Cushing's
disease, while sporadic and slight elevations, synchronous with F, were
seen in 5 out of 24 stable essential hypertensive patients [1 with normal
plasma renin activity (PRA), 1 with low PRA, and 3 with high PRA].
18-OH-DOC was normal in 2 cases of hypertension due to renal artery
stenosis, in 1 patient with nephrosclerosis, and in 1 patient with
horseshoe kidney. From these results, 18-OH-DOC does not seem to play an
important pathogenetic role in stable essential hypertension, considering
also the low mineralocorticoid activity of the compound.