DEPRESSION OF SERUM AND URINARY CITRIC ACID LEVELS BY 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS*

Abstract

When the dietary intake is constant, the daily variations in serum and urinary citric acid levels are slight. In this study, during a constant dietary regimen, increased serum concentrations of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids were associated with significantly decreased serum levels and urinary excretion of citric acid. This decrease was observed prior to, or in the absence of any significant changes in calcium, potassium, sodium or acid-base balance which might otherwise explain the direction of the change in citric acid levels. The decrease also occurred despite an increase in urinary calcium excretion or an increase in potassium retention. It is postulated that 17-hydroxjrcorticosteroids depress scrum and urinary levels of citric acid as a consequence of a decrease in the conversion of pyruvic acid to acetyl-CoA (which becomes coupled with oxalo-acetic acid to form citric acid).