Synthesis of 19-nor-aldosterone, 18-hydroxy-19-nor-corticosterone and 18,19-dihydroxycorticosterone in the human aldosterone-producing adenoma

Abstract

The recently synthesized 18-C-steroid derivative, 19-nor-aldosterone(19-nor-aldo) and 18-hydroxy-19-nor-corticosterone(18-OH-19-nor-corticosterone) possess mineralocorticoid and hypertensinogenic activity. They and an additional newly synthesized steroid, 18,19-dihydroxycorticosterone[18,19(OH) 2-corticosterone], may play a role in the etiology and pathogenesis of disorders thought to be caused by steroids with mineralocorticoid and hypertensinogenic properties. In this study we provide evidence that 19-nor-aldo, 18-OH-19-nor-corticosterone and 18,19(OH) 2-corticosterone are produced in vitro by aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas and adenoma of Cushing's syndrome, “silent” adrenal adenomas and the adjacent adrenal tissue. Measurable amounts of these steroids were found in the incubation fluids of adrenal tissues using specific RIAs performed after a sequence of HPLC systems. The rates of production of the three steroids were high in the aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas and in adrenal hyperplasia compared with in either Cushing's adenoma or “silent” adenoma.