title: Hybrid gene or hybrid steroids in the detection and screening for familial hyperaldosteronism type I.
abstract: 1. Early diagnosis of Familial Hyperaldosteronism Type I (FH-I, glucocorticoid-suppressible hyperaldosteronism) in asymptomatic, affected individuals is essential if death from stroke is to be prevented. 2. In 21 patients with FH-I (presence of the causative hybrid 11 beta-hydroxylase/aldosterone synthase gene confirmed by Southern blot testing), various biochemical parameters were compared as possible screening tests. Hypokalaemia and elevated plasma aldosterone each detected only two (10%) of the affected individuals. 3. Plasma renin activity 19 (90%) and aldosterone/renin ratio 18 (86%) were more reliable but not free from false negatives. 4. Levels of the urinary 'hybrid' steroid, 18-oxocortisol, were elevated (P < 0.01) in all 15 patients tested (138.2 +/- 17.4 micrograms/g creatinine, range 41.6 +/- 281.0 micrograms/g) with no overlap when compared with 11 normals (9.7 +/- 1.3 micrograms/g, range 2.8-17.4 micrograms/g). 5. We conclude that measurement of urinary 'hybrid' steroids is probably the most rapid and reliable biochemical screening test currently available for FH-I, with confirmation dependent on demonstration of the hybrid gene by genetic techniques.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Unit, Greenslopes Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stowasser
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Bachmann
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jonsson
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Tunny
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Klemm
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C038135:18-oxocortisol; D000450:Aldosterone; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase; D012083:Renin; D011188:Potassium; D006854:Hydrocortisone