URINARY EXCRETION OF TETRAHYDROALDOSTERONE IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY AND CONN'S SYNDROME

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A description is given of a method for paper chromatographic separation and spectrophotometric determination of urinary tetrahydroaldosterone (3α,11β,21-trihydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-on-18-al). Commercially available tritiated tetrahydroaldosterone was used for localization on paper throughout the procedure. Quantitation was performed after blue tetrazolium reaction using deoxycorticosterone acetate as standard. The coefficient of variation of duplicates was 12 per cent. In normal adult subjects, on a free diet and with no restrictions in physical activity, the urinary tetrahydroaldosterone averaged 33 μg/24 h, range 3–70 μg/24 h. On a diet with 110 mEq. sodium per 24 h and ordinary hospital regimen, the mean value was 31 μg/24 h, range 11–59 μg/24 h. In normal children up to the age of 3 years, the urinary tetrahydroaldosterone averaged 10 μg/24 h, range 0–29 μg/24 h. In the age group 3–14 years, the mean excretion was 20 μg/24 h, range 8–43 μg/24 h. During sodium restriction, a 2–3 fold increase in urinary tetrahydroaldosterone was observed in normal subjects. In patients with adrenal insufficiency, the values were below 9 μg/24 h, and in four patients with Conn's syndrome, the excretion of tetrahydroaldosterone was 72–284 μg/24 h. The method was found suitable for routine clinical use.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: