title: 6 beta-Hydroxycortisol excretion in hypercortisolemic states.
abstract: Urinary 6beta-hydroxycortisol (6betaOHF) excretion was measured and compared with free cortisol and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17OH) excretion in normal children, patients with Cushing's syndrome or disease (CSD), and patients during cortisol therapy. Normal 6betaOHF excretion in children was 0.23 +/- 0.03 mg/m2/24 h (mean +/- SE). No sex difference was found. ACTH infusion (40 U/day for 5 days) and high dose cortisol altered the 6 betaOHF:17OH ratio so that it was indistinguishable from the ratio seen in CSD. The fact that both Cushing's disease and high dose cortisol therapy caused the same change in the 6 betaOHF:17OH ratio suggests that cortisol and not ACTH induced 6beta-hydroxylase in hypercortisolemic subjects. Since the 6betaOHF:17OH ratio in CSD patients was always well above the normal range, measurement of 6betaOHF excretion was a better and more rapid test for chronic hypercortisolemia than urinary 17OH or free cortisol. Thus, measurement of urinary 6betaOHF is suggested as a good diagnostic test for hypercortisolemic states.
mesh_terms: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000652:urine*; D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; C001380:6 beta-hydroxycortisol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone