TREATMENT OF ADDISON'S DISEASE WITH DESOXY-CORTICOSTERONE ACETATE, A SYNTHETIC ADRENAL CORTICAL HORMONE (PRELIMINARY REPORT) 1

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Abstract
Intramusc. injs. of a soln. of synthetically prepared desoxy-corticosterone acetate in oil (2 to 30 mg. daily) resulted in marked improvement in the clinical condition of 8 patients with Addison''s disease during a period in which added NaCl therapy was withheld. The changes associated with desoxy-corticosterone acetate treatment were: increase in body wt., elevation of blood pressure, increase in plasma vol., restoration of plasma conc. of NaCl, and K to normal levels, positive Na and chloride balance, increased renal excretion of K and inorganic phosphorus, and improved muscular strength and sense of well-being. Withdrawal of desoxy-corticosterone acetate treatment (48 to 72 hrs.) resulted in wt. loss, decrease in plasma volume, decrease in total plasma content of sodium and chloride, a negative Na and chloride balance, retention of K and inorganic P, muscular weakness, loss of appetite, and the appearance of symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. Resumption of treatment again resulted in marked improvement and in the specific changes noted above.