GLUCOCORTICOIDS AND MINERALOCORTICOIDS IN BLOOD PLASMA AS MARKERS FOR THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ADRENAL CORTEX TUMORS

Abstract

Summary: Aim: assessment of the pituitary-adrenal and renin-aldosterone systems state in patients with various types of adrenocortical adenomas. Object and methods: in 35 patients with adrenocortical adenomas, the hormonal status was evaluated by a direct quantitative immunoenzymatic analysis. The levels of glucocorticoids (cortisol) and mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) were determined. The levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and renin were assessed by immunochemical methods using monoclonal antibodies specific for ACTH and renin. Results: increasing level of the cortisol against the background of a decreasing level of the ACTH in patients with cortisol-producing adrenocortical adenomas was revealed. In patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas, aldosteronism develops against the background of an unchanged level of renin and an increase in the aldosterone-renin ratio. Conclusions: the occurrence of hormone-dependent adenomas in the adrenal cortex disrupts the functioning of the pituitary-adrenal and renin-aldosterone systems, which serves as a criterion for the early diagnosis of adrenocortical adrenal adenomas.