Biologically active cortisol in plasma of oestrogen-treated and normal subjects.
Biologically active (non-protein-bound) cortisol levels in the plasma of 13 women taking oral contraceptives and of 67 normal subjects were compared, using a new method-steady-state gel filtration. Both total and unbound cortisol levels in the 67 normal subjects showed a skew distribution, which was roughly log-normal.Unbound cortisol levels in 11 of the oestrogen-treated women were in the normal range, but the median value was significantly increased in this group. Total plasma cortisol levels in the oestrogen-treated group were, as expected, increased threefold, and all were outside the normal range.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008656:Mestranol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008722:Methods; D011485:Protein Binding
D001798:Blood Proteins; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D008656:Mestranol; D006854:Hydrocortisone