FURTHER STUDIES ON THE PROPERTIES OF A HIGHLY ACTIVE MINERALOCORTICOID

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Abstract
A material was isolated from beef adrenal extract which is extremely potent in altering the Na24/K42 ratio ( a test of "mineralocorticoid" activity). The material is not any of the known [DELTA]4, [alpha], [beta]-unsaturated ketonic steroids or 20,21-ketols. It is also found in hog adrenal extract and in perfusate from isolated monkey adrenals. Its activity is reduced 90% by acetylation. Hydrolysis of the acetyl ester by acid or alkali fails to improve activity, but enzymatic hydrolysis restores the activity to a total of 30% of the original. Heat in vacuo at 80[degree] C destroyed the material, and at 60[degree]C for 15 hrs. reduced activity 50%. No inactivation occurred at 15[degree]C compared with O[degree] C. About 50% inactivation occurred after irradiation at 2400 and 2800 A for 30 min. Because of its peculiar position on paper chromatography and its extreme sensitivity to chemical and physical manipulation, the authors believe this to be a newly-isolated material which is about 25 times more active than desoxycorticosterone acetate, and which may explain in part the mineralocorticoid activity of amorphous fraction.