BLOOD CORTICOIDS: THEIR MEASUREMENT AND SIGNIFICANCE—A REVIEW

Abstract

THE adrenal cortex elaborates several steroids that are intimately related to many of the vital processes indigenous to human metabolism. These steroids have been classified by various authors into three major categories: 1) those affecting salt and water metabolism e.g.,—the physiologic adrenal product now known as aldosterone; 2) those affecting glucose metabolism and gluconeogenesis,—e.g., the physiologic adrenal product known as hydrocortisone or compound F; and 3) those acting as androgens or anabolic hormones and excreted as alpha-ketosteroid (androsterone) and beta-ketosteroid (dehydroepiandrosterone). The metabolic build-up and break-down of these steroids has been the subject of much research, as has also their separation, measurement, and positive identification. The influence of pituitary adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) as a stimulating and maintaining factor in the adrenal metabolism of steroids, forms an important part of the background for this research. This review will attempt to encompass many of these factors as they act on the level of the blood corticoids, as measured both in health and disease.