Clinical and Metabolic Study of 17-Hydroxycorticosterone (Kendall Compound F); Comparison with Cortisone.

Abstract

The clinical and metabolic effects of paren-terally-administered Compound F acetate were investigated and compared with those of cortisone acetate. The patients employed included one with rheumatoid arthritis, two with uncomplicated hypertensive vascular disease, and one with arthritis, diabetes, hypertension and Addison''s disease. Similar responses were observed but with Compound F appearing to be somewhat less active, particularly in the realm of salt and water metabolism. In the subject with Addison''s and other diseases, a rise in 17-keto-steroid excretion values suggested that certain 11-oxysteroids, at least in the absence of normal adrenal cortical tissue, are capable of conversion to this end-product. The serum level of protein-bound iodine declined in several patients, although Compound F failed to influence thyroid function as estimated by basal metabolic rate, uptake and excretion of radioactive iodine.