Abstract
Mineralocorticoid activity in urine of seven patients with low renin essential hypertension and in five normal subjects was evaluated. Urine was collected during continuous treatment with small doses of dexamethasone, which largely eliminated ACTH-dependent steroids without altering blood pressure. Free (unconjugated) steroids were extracted from urine. Urine was then acidified (pH 1.0) and reextracted for conjugated steroids. Extracts were then fractionated using LH-20 columns and high pressure liquid chromatography. The nine fractions thus obtained were subjected to bioassay in adrenalectomized rats, using a decrease in Na to K ratio as the index of mineralocorticoid activity. Aldosterone appeared in fraction 2, corticosterone in fraction 4,11-deoxycorticosterone in fraction 6, and progesterone in fraction 8. In patients with low renin essential hypertension, free unknown mineralocorticoids were excreted in fraction 5 (cases 1–3), in fraction 6 (cases 1, 2, and 4), in fraction 7 (cases 1 and 4), and in ...
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call