The Role of the Liver and the Adrenal in Producing Elevated Plasma 17-Hydroxycorticosteroid Levels in Surgery1

Abstract

After surgical operations the magnitude of the plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid levels attained shows a correlation with impaired BSP excretion and the length and severity of the operative procedure. Conjugated urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids increased after all except 1 brief, minor procedure but showed no correlation with the plasma levels attained. The factors which affect the plasma levels are discussed. The hypothesis is proposed that the increased plasma levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid after surgery are the result of both increased adrenal secretion of these steroids and impaired hepatic removal.