STUDIES OF ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION IN OBESITY

Abstract

Determina-tions in 15 normal and 16 obese subjects showed that in the latter the average plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid level was below the normal range and the average urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroid output was higher than normal. The disappearance of injected hydrocortisone sodium succinate was more rapid and the ratio of conjugated to free 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the plasma was higher in the obese subjects. The increased urinary output of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, the increased rate of disappearance, and the higher ratio of conjugated to free plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid levels may indicate increased production and metabolic removal of adrenal steroids in the obese patient.