Mineralocorticoid activity of carbenoxolone: contrasting effects of carbenoxolone and liquorice on 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in man.

1. 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is an enzyme complex consisting of 11 beta-dehydrogenase and 11-oxoreductase responsible for the interconversion of cortisol to cortisone in man. Inhibition of 11 beta-dehydrogenase (e.

The kidney is the major site of cortisone production in man.

The major site of cortisol metabolism in man has been thought to be the liver. Studies in patients with either congenital or acquired deficiency of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (an enzyme responsible for the interconversion of cortisol to cortisone) suggested that the kidney was an important site of cortisone production. In 88 patients with proven renal disease but normal liver function, arbitrarily divided into four groups on the basis of plasma creatinine, 0900 h plasma cortisone was significantly reduced in all groups when compared with 47 controls (e.

Lithium carbonate--a competitive aldosterone antagonist?

Plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (aldo) levels, electrolyte levels, and blood pressures were measured in 16 patients with affective disorders taking lithium prophylactically, and in 16 age and sex-matched control subjects. PRA and aldo levels were significantly elevated in the lithium-treated group. There was no difference between the groups in plasma electrolytes or erect and supine blood pressures, arguing against secondary aldosteronism.

Dual effect of etomidate on mineralocorticoid biosynthesis.

The effects of the intravenous anesthetic agent etomidate on adrenal steroidogenesis were studied in 14 pre-menopausal women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Anesthesia was induced with either thiopentone (group A) or etomidate (groups B and C) and maintained with nitrous oxide-oxygen 0.5% halothane (groups A and B) or an infusion of etomidate to supplement nitrous oxide-oxygen (group C).

Aldosterone in cystic fibrosis: measurement in saliva and correlation with disease severity.

Aldosterone was measured in the saliva of 20 patients with cystic fibrosis and a group of 20 normal children matched for age and sex. Mean levels were higher in the patient group but overall differences were small and statistically not significant. For the first time a link between aldosterone level and disease severity in patients with cystic fibrosis was established using a simple scoring system to assess disease activity.