Norma Brust

17-hydroxylation deficiency in man.

The biosynthesis of steroid hormones 1 requires a number of hydroxylating enzymes. Deficiency of these enzymes is demonstrated by increased or decreased amounts of certain steroid metabolites in blood and urine and is best exemplified by the deficiency of 11,8-hydroxylase (1) and 21-hy-droxylase (2) in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. 17a-Hydroxylase activity is present in these disorders because of the increases in secretion of androgens and excretion of preg-nanetriol. In addition, a lack of 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase has also been described (3). 17-Hydroxylation is essential not only to the bio-synthesis of cortisol but also to the formation of *

Regulation of the Mineralocorticoid Hormones in Adrenocortical Disorders with Adrenocorticotropin Excess

Chronic stimulation by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) of the adrenal cortex produces different plasma mineralocorticoid hormone (MCH) patterns, depending on the amount of glucocorticoid hormones (cortisol) concurrently generated and the degree of activation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS). Patients with Cushings disease or the ectopic ACTH-excess syndrome have normal or low production of the MCHs, aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB), by the zona glomerulosa (ZG), elevated cortisol and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) levels, and high-normal to elevated production of the MCHs corticosterone (B) and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-OHDOC) by the zona fasciculata (ZF). Prolonged administration of superphysiologic doses of ACTH to normal subjects yields similar patterns. Patients with simple virilizing 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) have impaired ZF production of B and 18-OHDOC and elevated DOC, 18-OHB, and aldosterone secretion secondary to the superimposed RAS stimulation of the ZG. Patients with 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency (17 alpha-OHD) have elevated levels of the ZF MCHs DOC, B, 18-OHDOC, and 18-OHB and a functionally suppressed ZG. Patients with 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency (11 beta-OHD) have only elevated production of DOC by the ZF and suppressed RAS and aldosterone. A significant negative correlation between cortisol and aldosterone concentrations suggests that cortisol is involved in the ACTH-mediated inhibition of aldosterone formation.

The Mineralocorticoid Hormone Pathways in Hypertension with Hyperaldosteronism

Simultaneous measurement of the 0800-hr plasma concentrations of deoxycorticosterone (DOC), corticosterone (B), 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB), aldosterone, 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-OHDOC) and cortisol (F) in four types of primary aldosteronism provides evidence for primary adrenal disease. Elevated DOC with normal F concentrations in the presence of elevated 18-OHB and aldosterone, and suppressed renin concentration suggests a primary adrenal abnormality of the zona glomerulosa (ZG). Steroid production by the zona fasciculata (ZF), F, 18-OHDOC, and most often B, is normal. These patterns exist only for primary adrenal hyperplasia, aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), and aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma (AP-Ca). Elevated DOC levels are rarely found in patients with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA or adrenal hyperplasia) and suggest that IHA is not a primary adrenal disorder and should be excluded from the syndrome of primary aldosteronism as they have been heretofore.