The Effects of Adrenocortical Hormones on Albumin Metabolism Studied with Albumin-I1311

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Abstract
Adrenal cortical hormones influence the rate of nitrogen loss in the tissues and plasma. An excess of these hormones is considered to be mainly catabolic. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of cortisone and prednisone on the synthesis and degradation of albumin. Pooled human serum albumin and rabbit serum albumin labeled with I131 were used in these studies. Eight female rabbits were treated with cortisone acetate after an appropriate control period. Experimental observations were confined to 12 to 19 days. Serum albumin concentration fell during drug administration from a mean of 4.47 g % to a mean of 3.97 g %. Albumin degradation increased during this period from a mean value of 1.5 g/day to a mean value of 2.4 g/day. The synthesis of albumin at an increased rate was able to compensate for about 91% of this enhanced albumin degradation. Five human subjects were studied in similar fashion, employing prednisone. In 4 of the 5 subjects, albumin degradation increased from a mean of 13.9 g/day to a mean of 17.7 g/day. Albumin synthesis increased to provide 48% of the excess albumin degraded. These results suggest that the adrenal cortical steroid hormones influence total albumin metabolism. An increased rate of albumin synthesis has been demonstrated during steroid administration.