The comparative activities of delta1, 4 pregnadiene-21-ol-3, 20-dione acetate and desoxycorticosterone acetate in the rat.

Abstract

UNSATURATION of the 1:2 linkage of the cortical steroids has been reported to modify their pharmacologies properties. Thus the compounds Δ1,4 Pregnadiene-17α,21-diol-3,11–20-trione and Δ1,4-Pregnadiene- 11β,17α,21-triol-3,20-dione, respectively analogues of cortisone and hydrocortisone (Herzog et al., 1955), have greater adrenocortical, antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory activities (Bunin et al., 1955) though their side reactions are not correspondingly increased. This observation indicates that partial dissociation of pharmacological activities may result from minor changes in the structure of the steroid nucleus. The present study is an investigation of the effects of a like nuclear change in desoxycorticosterone (DCA). For this, we have compared the activities of Δ1,4-Pregnadiene-21-ol-3,20-dione Acetate (PODA)3 with those of DCA (Δ4-Pregnene-21-ol-3,20-dione) in adrenalectomized rats and in rats under the conditions used for the production of “DCA-hypertensive disease” (Selye et al., 1943; Masson et ...