Adrenal cortex, tumor, and peripheral production of deoxycorticosterone.
A method is reported for the measurement of the urine excretion rates of tetrahydro-11-deoxycorticosterone (3 alpha,5 beta-THDOC), an important metabolite of 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC). Quantification using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was achieved by comparing the ion fragment response for the molecular ion (m/z 507) of the analyte (as methyloxime trimethylsilyl ether derivative) to that of a fixed amount of an isomer of THDOC added to urine as internal standard. To improve the specificity of measuring THDOC in clinical samples, an additional Sephadex LH-20 chromatography step was introduced to separate 11-deoxycortisol and some progesterone metabolites. In the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, THDOC excretion was higher than in the follicular phase; it was also higher than in women taking oral contraceptives. The correlation of THDOC with progesterone production, independent of a constant cortisol output, supports an ovarian or peripheral conversion of progesterone to DOC. The assay proved useful (1) in monitoring for the recurrence of a mineralocorticoid-secreting tumor and (2) when adrenal production of DOC was not fully suppressed in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency. Under the latter circumstances, the renin-angiotensin system seemed to be an important regulator of DOC production.
Schneider
M A
MA
Department of Chemical Pathology, Cobbold Laboratories, Middlesex Hospital, UCMSM, London, England.
Honour
J W
JW
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000378:metabolism*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; C009413:tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone