THE EFFECTS OF COMPOUND A (11-DEHYDROCORTICOSTERONE) AND COMPOUND F (17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTERONE) ON TOTAL BODY FAT 1

Abstract

The effects of Compounds A and F on body composition were studied on 2 occasions in an adult male. Measurements included metabolic balance, volume distribution techniques and determination of body specific gravity by underwater weighing. Changes in body fat were calculated from: (1) body specific gravity; (2) body density and total body water; (3) correction of the density formula for change in extracellular fluid; (4) parallel measurement of total body water and extracellular fluid; and (5) changes in total body water and nitrogen balance. No significant change in body fat accompanied administration of Compound A, but Compound F induced a gain in fat. The density of added tissue was 1.04 during Compound A and 0.9405 during Compound F therapy. The gain in fat could not be attributed to either decrease in O2 consumption or increase in protein breakdown. Of the various methods used, measurement of body density appeared most reproducible and this technique, especially when corrected for change in total body water, appears satisfactory for estimation of changes in total body fat.