The relationship of plasma aldosterone-binding globulin to blood pressure regulation in young adults with cystic fibrosis.

Findings of increased secretion rate and decreased metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of aldosterone in patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas (CF) and our own evidence on the association of increased aldosterone-binding globulin (ABG)-binding and decreased MCR in essential hypertension (EH) inspired us to investigate the plasma aldosterone, with the inclusion of protein-binding variables, in CF patients. (1) The percentage of plasma aldosterone specifically bound to ABG was measured in 55 young adults with CF in addition to total plasma aldosterone, total plasma corticosteroids and for comparison of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)-binding capacity. (2) The percentage of ABG-bound plasma aldosterone was found to vary with the seasonal change in temperature and the hepatic function of CF patients.