THE CORTISONE-LIKE EFFECT OF 6α=METHYL-17α-ACETOXYPROGESTERONE IN THE ADRENALECTOMIZED MAN

Abstract

An attempt was made to determine whether 6 alpha-methyl -17alpha- acetoxypro-gesterone (MAP) was as active as a glucocorticoid in man, as in experimental animals. This steroid was administered as a substitute for cortisoneto 5 patients with definite signs of adrenal insufficiency. The subcutaneous administration of MAP in doses of 100 mg per day caused thepromptand complete disappearance of the symptoms attributable to glucocorticoid insufficiency which had developed when cortisone hadbeen replacedby 9 alpha-fluoro-hydrocortisone. When substitution treatment was carried out with MAP only, compensation was practically the same as with the daily administration of 50 mg cortisone. The glucose-tolerance and the insulin tests demonstratedthat MAP adminstered subcutaneously displayeda marked glycogenetic activity.