ISOLATION OF 18-HYDROXYDEOXYCORTICOSTERONE FROM RAT ADRENALS1

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Abstract
Substance X2, a steroid elaborated by the rat adrenal gland which reacts with the sulfuric acid phenylhydrazine (PS) reagent yielding a chromogen absorbing light at 400–410 mμ. has been identified as 20,21-dihydroxy-18,20- cpoxjr-4-pregnene-3-one (18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone). No chemical reason has been found why the cyclohemiketal grouping should facilitate the formation of an intermediate (for e.g. glyoxal) which would react with the PS reagent. Since 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone was derived solely from endogenous prccursor(s) and because its biosynthesis can be increased by adrenocorticotropin, adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate and reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotidc, it is a natural adrenocorticosteroid and more than likely plays an important function in the physiology of the rat.