1-Hydrocortisone and Hydrocortisone: Plasma 17-Hydroxycorticosteroid Concentrations in the Dog Following Oral and Intravenous Administration.

Abstract

The effects of orally and intravenously administered [DELTA]1 -hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone on plasma 17-OHCS concentrations in the dog were studied. [DELTA] 1 -hydrocortisone produced higher and more prolonged plasma 17-OHCS elevations than did equivalent doses of hydrocortisone administered orally. The half-life of [DELTA]1 -hydrocortisone was found to be 1.37 times that of hydrocortisone. Intravenous administration of these steroids as the hemisuccinates gave lower but somewhat more prolonged elevations in plasma 17-OHCS concentrations than the corresponding free alcohols. [DELTA] 1-Hydrocortisone was metabolized more slowly than hydrocortisone and this may explain, at least in part, the enhanced potency of the [DELTA]1 -steroid.