title: Stimulation and suppression of aldosterone in plasma of normal man and in primary aldosteronism.
abstract: The effect of stimulating and suppressive influences on plasma aldosterone in normal man and in patients with primary aldosteronism were studied using a sensitive double-isotope derivative assay for aldosterone. In normal sitting subjects, values were 9.2+/-0.9 (SE) mmug/100 ml and in subjects supine for 1 hr plasma aldosterone was 5.2+/-0.4 (SE) mmug/100 ml. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 0.5 U/hr, produced a rise of 46.8+/-22 (SE) mmug which was similar to the 1-hr effect of an infusion of a synthetic ACTH (beta(1-24), Cortrosyn). Angiotensin II in pressor amounts also increased plasma aldosterone 21.5+/-2.9 (SE) without change in plasma cortisol, whereas a subpressor dose ([unk]) had minimal effect.Fludrocortisone, 1.2 mg/day for 3 days, suppressed plasma aldosterone levels to 1.8+/-0.7 (SE) mmug/100 ml in five normal sitting subjects (P < 0.01); however, dexamethasone, 2 mg/day for 1-2 days, did not lower aldosterone concentration in plasma. In six patients with primary aldosteronism, plasma aldosterone on a normal sodium diet was 39.1+/-4.4 (SE) which differed significantly from normal sitting or supine subjects (P < 0.001). In contrast to the normal subjects, neither a pressor infusion of angiotensin II for 1 hr, nor fludrocortisone, 1.2 mg/day for 3 days, impressively altered plasma aldosterone levels. This approach appears to be useful for the study of the acute physiology and control mechanisms of aldosterone production in normal and hypertensive man.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004035:Diet Therapy; D005438:Fludrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006728:Hormones; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008722:Methods; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D006728:Hormones; D014316:Tritium; D000804:Angiotensin II; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D000450:Aldosterone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D005438:Fludrocortisone