Abstract
Time-related changes in plasma levels of aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, and cortisol were studied during treatment with spironolactone in 8 patients with primary aldosteronism due to adenomas. Plasma renin activity (PRA), serum sodium and serum potassium were also measured. The patients were treated with spironolactone, 75 to 225 mg daily, and blood samples were withdrawn on days 7, 14, and 21 to 28 of drug administration. Plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) were not altered by spironolactone; however, significant increases were observed in plasma deoxycorticosterone on days 21 to 28 and in plasma corticosterone and cortisol on days 14 and 21 to 28. The suppressed PRA values were markedly increased on days 21 to 28 and low levels of serum potassium returned to the normal range on day 7. The lack of increase in PAC, despite a remarkable rise in PRA and serum potassium, suggests biosynthetic inhibition of spironolactone at the sites of 18-hydroxylation and/or 18-oxidation, because of the elevation of deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
