COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF ETHINYL ESTRADIOL, 17α-ETHYL-19-NORTESTOSTERONE AND METHYLTESTOSTERONE ON THE PLASMA CLEARANCE OF INFUSED CORTISOL

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Abstract
Ethinyl estradiol, 17[alpha]-ethyl-19-nortesto-sterone or methyltestosterone in respective dosages of 1 mg., 100 mg. and 100 mg. daily were given for periods of ten to sixteen days to adult males convalescing from an orthopedic disease. Following the administration of ethinyl estradiol, nonconjugated plasma 17-hydroxy-corticosteroid levels increased two- to threefold, but 17[alpha]-ethyl-19-nortestosterone and methyltestosterone were without effect. The plasma clearance of infused cortisol was decreased significantly in patients who received either ethinyl estradiol or 17[alpha]-ethyl-19-nortestosterone but was unaffected in patients given methyltestosterone. It is suggested that the inhibitory effect exerted by ethinyl estradiol on the removal of infused cortisol from plasma may be due to an increase in the plasma protein-binding of cortisol and also to a decrease in the hepatic catabolism of cortisol.