THE HYPERTENSIVE EFFECT OF COMPOUND FACETATE (17-OH-CORTICOSTERONE-21-ACETATE) IN THfi RAT*

Abstract

A CONSIDERABLE volume of investigation in man as well as in animals has indicated that the adrenal cortex might be involved in hypertensive disease, either in a causal or supportive r61e (Soffer, 1948; Perera, 1950). Some impetus to these studies has been given by the exploration of the hypertensive properties of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) (Selye, Hall and Rowley, 1943; Friedman, Polley and Friedman, 1948). In view of these findings, it seemed of importance to us to determine whether any compounds, either by reason of their structural or physiological properties, might oppose the known cardiovascular-renal effects of DCA. To this end we have set up a simple screening test and have thus far explored the action of progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, 21-acetoxy pregnenolone, “12-keto DCA,” Compound S (11-desoxy-17-hydroxycorticosterone acetate), Compound A (11-dehydrocorticosterone), cortisone, hyaluronidase, Lipo-Adrenal Cortex (Upjohn) and pitressin. Of these, only Lipo-Adrenal Cortex, in large doses, and pitressin have thus far shown any ability to oppose these actions of DCA (Friedman and Friedman, 1950; Friedman and Friedman, 1951; Friedman, Friedman and Nakashima, 1952).