Changes In Steroid Excretion Research Articles

Adrenal function in preterm infants.

The adrenal function of 10 preterm infants of gestational age 27-34 weeks was assessed longitudinally from measurements of excretion rates of steroid metabolites in 24-hour urine samples collected at frequent intervals for up to 80 days after delivery. The changes in steroid excretion with time in preterm infants of gestation over 28 weeks reflect involution of the fetal adrenal zone at a similar rate to term infants. These findings are consistent with the removal at birth of the inhibitory effects of oestrogen on the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme. The continued function of the adrenal fetal zone beyond the first month in preterm infants of less than 28 weeks gestation may however be due to persistence of some other fetal regulatory adrenal mechanism.

Steroid balance and tissue cholesterol accumulation in germfree and conventional rats fed diets containing saturated and polyunsaturated fats

Steroid balance studies were conducted on 24 conventional and 12 germfree male rats, 90-120 days old, fed diets containing either 20% safflower or 20% coconut oil. Both germfree and conventional rats fed the safflower oil diets had significantly lower serum cholesterol levels and significantly higher liver cholesterol levels than did the rats fed coconut oil. No significant differences in total fecal neutral sterols, coprostanol, Delta(7)-cholestenol, or total fecal bile acid excretion were seen between dietary groups of rats of either status. There was no evidence of qualitative differences in fecal bile acid excretion as a function of diet. The increased liver cholesterol was in the ester form, with cholesteryl linoleate the largest single component. There was no significant difference in the cholesterol content of the skin, muscle, adipose tissue, or gastrointestinal tract. The significance of a large increase in liver cholesteryl ester, lowered serum cholesterol, and no change in steroid excretion is discussed.

Effect of resection of lung tumours on the steroid abnormalities in patients with lung cancer.

The urinary excretion of androsterone, aetiocholanolone, total 17-oxosteroids, and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) was measured in 40 patients with lung cancer three days before resection and again 10-15 days after resection of their lung tumours. There was a significant postoperative increase in the excretion of 17-OHCS but a significant decrease in the excretion of androsterone and aetiocholanolone, resulting in an increase of the preoperative abnormalities in steroid excretion in these patients. Since there was no change in steroid excretion towards normal after resection of the lung tumours, it seems that the steroid abnormalities found in lung cancer are not the effect of the presence of the lung tumours. As the excretions of 17-OHCS and 11-deoxy-17-oxosteroids change in opposite directions after resection, it is suggested that a dissociation of factors that control the excretion of these two groups of steroids takes place as a response to surgical stress in patients with lung cancer.

Effect of lithium citrate on adrenocortical activity in manic-depressive illness

Twelve manic-depressive patients were treated with lithium citrate on a research ward where fluid and electrolyte intake was controlled. The following findings were noted: Four of the five depressed patients became symptom free as did all seven manic patients. The substitution of placebo during the symptom-free period was associated within 24–48 hr with recurrence of depressive or manic symptomatology in three manic and two depressed patients. In addition to its well established effect upon mania, lithium, in these cases, had a specific therapeutic effect upon depression as well. The introduction of lithium was associated with a temporary increase in 17-OHCS excretion along with an increased excretion of water, sodium, and potassium. These effects were not sustained, in some instances, beyond 24 hr. The substitution of placebo for lithium during the course of treatment resulted in changes in excretion which were in the opposite direction. The direction of the changes in steroid excretion suggests that lithium's effect upon electrolyte metabolism is not secondary to its action upon the adrenal cortex. Manic patients whowed a tendency to retain lithium while symptomatic and to excrete amounts in excess of that administered after becoming symptom-free. This retention of lithium tended to differentiate the manic from the depressed patients. Manic patients treated with lithium showed a higher rate of 17-OHCS excretion after they had become symptom-free than before administration of lithium. This increase may have been secondary to clinical improvement or to retention of lithium. The depressed patients did not show this trend towards increased steroid excretion.

The Effect of Experimentally Induced Acute Tularemia in Humans on Nitrogen, Mineral, and Electrolyte Metabolism and on Adrenocortical Function.

s1 April 1964The Effect of Experimentally Induced Acute Tularemia in Humans on Nitrogen, Mineral, and Electrolyte Metabolism and on Adrenocortical Function.William R. Beisel, Irving Gray, William D. Sawyer, Dan Crozier, Joseph Bruton, M.S.William R. BeiselSearch for more papers by this author, Irving GraySearch for more papers by this author, William D. SawyerSearch for more papers by this author, Dan CrozierSearch for more papers by this author, Joseph Bruton, M.S.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-60-4-716_3 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo assess the interaction of nitrogen, mineral, and electrolyte metabolism and adrenocortical function during infection, volunteer subjects were exposed to aerosolized Pasteurella tularensis while undergoing complete metabolic balance study. Nitrogen, sodium, potassium, phosphate, calcium, and magnesium balances were determined in 16 subjects; in these and 26 others, urinary adrenocortical steroids were also measured.With the onset of acute illness, 17-hydroxycorticosteroid and 17-ketosteroid excretion rose significantly; excretion returned abruptly to normal after institution of therapy. Urinary pregnanetriol increased transiently at the onset of fever. Individuals exposed to attenuated organisms, previously vaccinated or sham exposed showed no appreciable change in steroid excretion... This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: William R. Beisel; Irving Gray; William D. Sawyer; Dan Crozier; Joseph Bruton, M.S.Affiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited bySilicon Carbide, SiCEFFECTS OF CIMETIDINE ON PITUITARY FUNCTION: ALTERATIONS IN HORMONE SECRETION PROFILESMineralocorticoids and the Regulation of Sodium Metabolism in Normal and Hypertensive Pregnancy: A ReviewPituitary-adrenal and pituitary-thyroid function during administration of difluocortolone and dexamethasone to human subjectsDie Stoffwechselwirkungen der SchilddrüsenhormoneSerum AlbuminAdrenal Cortical Response to Neurosurgical Problems, Noting the Effects of Exogenous SteroidsInfluence of indomethacin on the distribution of cortisol in manCompetition between Drugs and Normal Substrates for Plasma and Tissue Binding SitesDrug-Macromolecular Interactions: Implications for Pharmacological ActivityPlasma binding of betamethasone3H, dexamethasone-3H, and cortisol-14C— A comparative studyDiagnostische Bedeutung der Proteinbindung von Plasmacortisol, bestimmt durch DextrangelfiltrationThe Binding of Drugs by Plasma ProteinsThe influence of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone on the sedimentation rate of the red blood cellsKlinische Bedeutung der Trennung von proteingebundenem und sog. freiem Anteil des Plasmacortisols mit Hilfe der DextrangelfiltrationFluorimetrische Bestimmung der sog. 11-Hydroxycorticosteroide im Plasma bei Hyperthyreose und bei NebennierenrindeninsuffizienzBinding of cortisol and its degradation products by human serum albumin 1 April 1964Volume 60, Issue 4Page: 716-717KeywordsCalciumExcretionFeversMagnesiumPhosphatesPotassiumSodiumSteroidsTularemia ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 April 1964 PDF downloadLoading ...