EXCRETION OF URINARY CORTICOIDS IN CONDITIONS OF CHRONIC ASTHENIA

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Abstract
IT HAS been postulated that some disturbance in the secretion of the adrenal cortex is present in conditions of chronic asthenia. Several arguments seem to corroborate this theory; for example, asthenia is one of the major symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. Furthermore, recent researches on the role of the adrenals in fatigue and resistance to stress are in harmony with the concept of a general hypofunction of these glands in asthenia. In fact the problem is quite complicated, since investigations on the adrenals with classical tests in fatigue conditions have not revealed gross alterations in the level of blood sugar and in electrolyte balance such as are observed in Addison's disease. A new light has been shed on the functions of the adrenals by recent studies on corticosteroidogenesis (1, 2). It seems possible to determine whether the constant minor aggressions of everyday life and the major toxic, traumatic or infectious stresses may eventually disturb adrenocortical metabolism and thus unbalance the elaboration of corticoids. Defects of corticosteroidogenesis have been found in other pathologic states (3, 4, 5).