Plasma Level of Cortexolone as a Function of the Adrenal Cortexolone Production Rate

Abstract

With isotopic techniques and single compartment analysis the level of Cortexolone in human plasma was studied as a function of the adrenal Cortexolone production rate. These data were then compared to similar data in which the plasma cortisol level was studied as a function of adrenal cortisol production. It was found that a given level of plasma Cortexolone represents a much greater rate of adrenal steroid production than does an equivalent level of plasma cortisol. This difference may be ascribed in part to a greater cortisol affinity of the plasma binding protein transcortin. From the presented data, a plasma level of Cortexolone may be compared to a plasma level of cortisol in terms of their respective adrenal steroid production rates. If the same adrenal production rate of Cortexolone or of cortisol represents equivalent ACTH stimulation, a plasma level of cortisol and Cortexolone may then be compared in terms of pituitary ACTH release.