AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 242, Issue 5 305-E308, Copyright © 1982 by American Physiological Society
Mineralocorticoid activity of 19-nor-DOC and 19-OH-DOC in adrenalectomized rat
R. D. Perrone, H. H. Bengele, S. L. Dale, J. C. Melby and E. A. Alexander
Excess mineralocorticoid activity is thought to be responsible for the
increased sodium reabsorption found after adrenal enucleation, but no known
mineralocorticoid has been demonstrated in quantities sufficient to account
for this antinatriuresis. 19-Hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (19-OH-DOC) has
been synthesized by the incubated enucleate adrenal capsule and
19-nordeoxycorticosterone (19-nor-DOC), a possible metabolite, has been
found in the urine of rats with regenerating adrenal glands. To evaluate
the in vivo mineralocorticoid potency of these steroids, we studied
glucocorticoid-replete adrenalectomized rats and measured the sodium and
potassium excretion after administration of these steroids. Our results
indicate that 19-nor-DOC has equipotent antinatriuretic activity compared
to aldosterone but was less kaluretic. 19-OH-DOC had no significant
antinatriuretic or kaluretic activity. We conclude that 19-nor-DOC is a
potent mineralocorticoid and may be responsible for the enhanced sodium
reabsorption found after adrenal enucleation.
