EFFECTS OF 17-HYDROXY-CORTICOSTERONE (“COMPOUND F”) IN MAN 12

Abstract

Whether carbohydrate-active steroids of the adrenal cortex have a desoxycorticosterone-like effect on Na and K metabolism was investigated for 17-hydroxy-corticosterone (compound F). A normal male subject was twice observed for 3 days after the intramusc. injn. of 50 mg. of compound F, and twice for 3 corresponding control days. The effect of compound F on the urinary excretion of N, K, Na, Cl, water, P, Ca and Mg was measured by the difference between compound F and control data. The results were evaluated statistically by analysis of variance. With compound F, (as with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)) circulating lymphocytes and eosinophils fell. About 1.6 g. of N were lost. Glycosuria appeared and was apparently due to a lowered renal threshold. With compound F (as with ACTH ) K was lost (about 20 meq. of K on the day compound F was given); this loss of K was restored by the next morning after breakfast; there was a "rebound" retention after that. There were Na changes beyond those associated with chloride which were inversely related to changes in K. It is suggested that Na entered K deficient cells, although this interpretation cannot be made with confidence in the absence of measurements of ECF (extracellular fluid) electrolytes. These electrolyte changes resemble changes that occur with desoxycorticosterone acetate under similar conditions. Other electrolytes were not significantly affected.