DIURNAL VARIATION IN THE URINARY EXCRETION OF NEUTRAL LIPID-SOLUBLE REDUCING STEROIDS IN CONGESTIVE CARDIAC FAILURE AND CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER WITH ASCITES 12

Abstract

Some individuals with congestive cardiac failure or cirrhosis of the liver with ascites have an abnormal peak of water and Na excretion during the night. The neutral lipid-soluble reducing steroid averaged 3 mg./24 hrs. in 10 normal adult males, all of whom had max. excretion during the morning. 14 patients with congestive cardiac failure has an avg. excretion of 2.96 mg. of steroid with a max. excretion during the afternoon or night. 12 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites had an avg. excretion of 3.32 mg. steroid/ 24 hrs., and also demonstrated a max. excretion during the afternoon or night-time periods. Since the total steroid excretion did not exceed normal values it was concluded that the nocturnal max. excretion probably was due to an alteration in the time of max. excretion rather than to an alteration in the stress pattern or the time of max. steroid production.