Abstract
An endogenous digoxin-like immunoreactive substance(s) (DLIS, "endoxin") may be of significance in the etiology of essential hypertension (EH). Progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), 11-deoxycortisol and 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC), four steroids known to be increased in essential hypertension, were found to have digoxin-like immunoreactivity at levels 1,000 times higher than physiological concentrations. Of these steroids, progesterone and 18-OH-DOC were the most efficient in displacing 3H-ouabain from canine kidney Na+/K+ ATPase whereas progesterone and 11-deoxycortisol were the most potent inhibitors of this enzyme's activity. Although 18-OH-DOC and DHEA-S cross-reacted with digoxin-specific antibodies, their ability to inhibit Na+/K+ ATPase activity was minimal. Although it is concluded that these steroids may contribute to DLIS as isolated from hypertensive patients, it is unlikely that they would be of physiological significance in the etiology of EH unless they were to accumulate and act synergistically within vascular wall smooth muscle tissues.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.