[21-deoxycortisol. A new marker of virilizing adrenal hyperplasia caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency].

21-deoxycortisol is a steroid produced mainly by the adrenal gland. Its normal plasma baseline concentrations (0.03 to 0.

Increased plasma 21-deoxycorticosterone (21-DB) levels in late-onset adrenal 21-hydroxylase deficiency suggest a mild defect of the mineralocorticoid pathway.

Plasma 21-deoxycorticosterone (21-DB) concentrations were measured before (basal) and 1 h after ACTH stimulation in a population of 34 normal subjects, 18 patients with the late-onset form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LO-CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, and 19 LOCAH heterozygotes. For comparison, plasma 21-deoxycortisol (21-DOF) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) were determined simultaneously in the same subjects. Plasma 21-DB concentrations as well as those of 21-DOF did not vary significantly as a function of age, sex, or phase of the menstrual cycle, in contrast to plasma 17-OHP.

[Effect of estroprogestative drugs on the secretion of corticoadrenal hormones].

Estro-progestative drugs (EPD) have been used for many years and multiple secondary effects have been reported concerning mainly the glucidic and lipidic metabolisms. Effects of EPD on steroid metabolism have also been described and the authors present a review of the literature on this subject. Particularly it appears that EPD affect: the glucocorticoid metabolism, with augmentation of total cortisol although not in its free-form (augmentation of transcortine), the adrenal androgens metabolism, with diminution of their circulating rates, the aldosterone metabolism with augmentation of its secretion.

Metabolic effects of combined cyproterone acetate and percutaneous 17 beta oestradiol after six and twelve months therapy in 61 patients.

The metabolic effects of combined cyproterone acetate (50 mg) and percutaneous 17 beta oestradiol were studied during one year in 61 patients admitted for hyperandrogenia. Before treatment and at 6 and 12 months the following tests were performed: oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with insulinemia dosage, determination of total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and HDL fractions, triglycerids, A1 and B apoproteins, liver function tests: bilirubinemia, alkaline phosphatases, transaminases and gamma glutamyl transferases. The patients' mean age was 27.

Comparison of basal and adrenocorticotropin-stimulated plasma 21-deoxycortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone values as biological markers of late-onset adrenal hyperplasia.

Plasma 21-deoxycortisol (21-DOF) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) concentrations were assayed before (basal) and 1 h after ACTH stimulation in 4 groups of normal subjects (35 follicular phase women, 22 luteal phase women, 33 adult men, and 15 prepubertal children) and in a group of 31 patients with the late-onset form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LOCAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency as well as in 31 LOCAH) heterozygotes. The mean basal plasma 21-DOF concentrations in each of the 4 groups of normal subjects were between 8 ng/dL (0.23 nmol/L) and 11 ng/dL (0.