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Plasma immunoreactive gamma melanotropin in patients with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, aldosterone-producing adenomas, and essential hypertension.

A non-ACTH aldosterone-stimulating factor(s) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). Although this factor has not been fully characterized, some evidence suggests that it may be related to a pro-gamma-melanotropin (pro-gamma-MSH), derived from the NH2-terminal region of pro-opiomelanocortin. In the present study, plasma immunoreactive (IR-) gamma-MSH levels at 0800 h in patients with IHA were evaluated (90 +/- 17 fmol/ml; range: 13-173 fmol/ml) and found to be significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than those in subjects with aldosterone-producing adenomas (33 +/- 8 fmol/ml), essential hypertension (33 +/- 6 fmol/ml), and normotensive controls (19 +/- 2 fmol/ml). Seven of nine IHA subjects had circulating IR-gamma-MSH levels above the normal range (greater than 35 fmol/ml). In plasmas sampled at 1200 h, IR-gamma-MSH was significantly higher in patients with IHA (95 +/- 26 fmol/ml) and adenomas (63 +/- 23 fmol/ml), as compared with essential hypertensives (31 +/- 6 fmol/ml) and normotensives (19 +/- 3 fmol/ml). Mean plasma IR-ACTH, plasma cortisol, and urinary cortisol levels did not differ significantly between any of these groups. In order to evaluate the effect of a pro-gamma-MSH in vitro, adrenal adenoma tissue was obtained from two patients, one with elevated IR-gamma-MSH (61 fmol/ml) and a second with low IR-gamma-MSH (12 fmol/ml). Aldosterone secretion by dispersed adenoma cells from the former, but not the latter, underwent a fourfold dose-dependent (10(-14)-10(-9) M) increase in response to human Lys-gamma 3-MSH. These data suggest that a pro-gamma-MSH may be implicated as a pathogenic factor in a subset of patients with primary aldosteronism, particularly among those differentially diagnosed as having IHA.

Adenoma↗

18-Hydroxycorticosterone as a marker for primary hyperaldosteronism.

An assay for the measurement of 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB) in plasma has been validated. The method involves extraction of plasma with dichloromethane, thin layer chromatography and radioimmunoassay with an iodinated 18-hydroxycorticosterone-3-carboxymethyloxime ligand. The plasma concentration of 18-OHB was measured in 16 patients with primary hyperaldosteronism and 20 control subjects. After overnight recumbency a significantly higher mean concentration of 18-OHB was found in the samples taken from the patients than in those from the control subjects. The degree of elevation did not clearly discriminate between patients with a unilateral adenoma and those with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. A significant anomalous postural decrease in the 18-OHB concentration occurred in 10 of the 13 patients with an adenoma, whereas there was a significant postural increase in the three patients with hyperplasia.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone↗

Cystic fibrosis presenting with chronic electrolyte depletion, metabolic alkalosis and hyperaldosteronism.

A five month old infant who presented with failure to thrive and was found to have severe electrolyte depletion, metabolic alkalosis and hyperaldosteronism is described. The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis was made by demonstrating abnormal sweat electrolytes and pancreatic insufficiency. It is important to exclude cystic fibrosis in any infant presenting with this biochemical abnormality.

Alkalosis↗

Evidence for abnormal left ventricular structure and function in normotensive individuals with familial hyperaldosteronism type I.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether aldosterone excess can induce adverse cardiovascular effects independently of effects on blood pressure (BP), we sought evidence of disturbed cardiovascular structure or function in normotensive individuals with primary aldosteronism. METHODS: Eight normotensive subjects with genetically proven familial hyperaldosteronism type I (FH-I) were compared with 24 age- and sex-matched normotensive controls in terms of BP, biochemical parameters, pulse wave velocity, and echocardiographic characteristics. RESULTS: Subjects with FH-I demonstrated higher serum aldosterone levels and aldosterone/renin ratios than controls, as expected. Despite having similar 24-h ambulatory BPs, subjects with FH-I demonstrated evidence of concentric remodeling with greater septal (mean +/- sd, 9.4 +/- 1.1 vs. 7.9 +/- 0.9 mm; P < 0.001), posterior wall (9.2 +/- 1.7 vs. 7.7 +/- 1.0 mm; P < 0.01), and relative wall (0.29 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.24 +/- 0.02; P < 0.001) thicknesses, and lower mitral early peak velocities (0.74 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.90 +/- 0.16 m/sec; P < 0.05), ratios of early to late peak diastolic transmitral flow velocity (1.56 +/- 0.24 vs. 2.06 +/- 0.41; P < 0.01), and myocardial early peak velocities (8.3 +/- 1.8 vs. 10.3 +/- 2.6 cm/sec; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in pulse wave velocity or left ventricular ejection fraction, long axis strain rate, peak systolic strain, cyclic variation of integrated backscatter, or posterior wall calibrated integrated backscatter. CONCLUSIONS: Aldosterone excess is associated with increased left ventricular wall thicknesses and reduced diastolic function, even in the absence of hypertension.

Adolescent↗

Circadian rhythm of plasma renin activity in primary hyperaldosteronism.

The circadian periodicity of plasma renin activity (PRA) during continuous recumbency was determined five times in a patient with primary hyperaldosteronism. All curves were parallel with one another. There were significant elevations of PRA at 1600-2000 h, falls at 2400 h, and peaks at 0200-0800 h. This periodicity was uninfluenced by changes in baseline PRA, serum potassium concentration, salt intake, plasma volume, blood pressure, or mineralocorticoid effect. It persisted despite inability of the patient to sleep on two nights. It is suggested that the observed periodicity of renin is a true endogenous diurnal rhythm of possible central nervous system origin.

Circadian Rhythm↗

Adrenal glomerulosa function in patients with dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism.

The response of the adrenal glomerulosa to renin stimulation was determined in 10 patients with dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism. The patients were treated continuously with 2 mg/day dexamethasone (DEX) and were studied on a regular sodium diet (87 meq/m2 . day) and on a 10 meq/day sodium diet. With DEX treatment all patients showed a prompt suppression of adrenal fasciculata function as evidenced by suppression of serum cortisol, corticosterone, desoxycorticosterone, and urinary 18-OH-desoxycorticosterone. The complete suppression of urinary pH 1 aldosterone (aldo) by DEX, unique to this disorder, was paralleled by a prompt suppression of urinary 18-OH-corticosterone. With continued DEX administration, plasma renin activity rose to the normal or supranormal range. Dietary sodium restriction resulted in a further rise in plasma renin activity and a rise in urinary pH 1 aldo and 18-OH-corticosterone. We conclude that in DEX-suppressible hyperpaldosteronism, although ACTH appears to be the primary stimulus for aldo secretion in the untreated state, when ACTH is suppressed, the adrenal glomerulosa responds normally to the stimulation of renin-angiotensin II.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone↗

Genetic and pathophysiologic studies of a new kindred with glucocorticoid-suppressible hyperaldosteronism manifest in three generations.

This report describes investigations in a new kindred with dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism affecting three successive generations. The presumptive diagnosis was first made in a 7-yr-old boy and led to the identification of the disorder in his mother and grandmother. Several other members of the family were investigated. Genotyping and HLA typing were also performed. To further explore the nature of this unusual disorder, urine from the three patients documented to have the syndrome was assayed for an aldosterone-stimulating factor recently reported to be found in patients with idiopathic aldosteronism. None of these patients showed measurable activity of such a urinary factor. The identification of members in three generations strongly supports the heritable nature of the disorder and probable autosomal dominant type of transmission. The absence of urinary aldosterone-stimulating factor in these patients further supports the tenet that the disorder is pathogenetically distinct from idiopathic aldosteronism, since both disorders are usually associated with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia.

Adult↗

Primary adrenal hyperplasia: a new subset of primary hyperaldosteronism.

The existence of a new subset of primary hyperaldosteronism that combines the morphology of bilateral hyperplasia with the biochemical and therapeutic responses typical of adenoma recently was suggested. The following is the first detailed case report of that subset. The patient had severe hypokalemia and hypertension responsive to spironolactone, and elevated supine plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone values that did not increase after ambulation. Surgical removal of 75% of both adrenal glands decreased mineralocorticoid levels into the low normal range and allowed the return of normal renin-angiotensin function, although plasma aldosterone was still unresponsive to postural change. Glucocorticoid reserve remained normal. Histology showed bilateral cortical hyperplasia. The results support the existence of a new subset of adrenal hyperplasia, termed primary adrenal hyperplasia, in which biochemical parameters and response to surgery mimic those of adrenal adenomas. The existence of such a subset indicates that morphological categorization alone is insufficient to rule out a possible therapeutic response to surgery in patients with aldosterone-secreting adrenal hyperplasia.

Adenoma↗

Excess mineralocorticoid receptor activity in patients with dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism is under adrenocorticotropin control.

Total mineralocorticoid activity in human serum was assessed by the rat renal slice receptor assay (RRA). RRA values were compared to RIA-derived aldosterone (aldo) equivalents. Our data demonstrate that in normal subjects, mineralocorticoid receptor-binding steroids can be almost totally accounted for by immunoreactive deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, cortisol, and aldo (RRA, 4.73 +/- 1.34 ng/ml aldo; RIA, 3.91 +/- 1.52 ng/ml aldo equivalents), while in 8 patients with dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism (DSH), RRA values were greater than RIA values in the basal state (RRA, 7.57 +/- 0.75; RIA, 3.24 +/- 0.34; P less than 0.01). DSH patients had a RRA to RIA ratio after ACTH stimulation similar to the ratio in these patients in the basal state (basal, 2.34; ACTH-stimulated, 2.04). During dexamethasone treatment, RRA values fell markedly (1.82 +/- 0.26). Thus, total mineralocorticoid activity, as measured by RRA in DSH patients, was greater than RIA-measurable deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, cortisol, and aldo, indicating the presence of an unidentified steroid which is dexamethasone suppressible and ACTH stimulable.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Prohormones in adrenal venous effluent in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism.

Aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and idiopathic hyperplasia (IHA) are two main causes of primary hyperaldosteronism, which differ in the modes of treatment. Some of the prohormones, such as 18-hydroxycorticosterone, are elevated in adenomas. 19-Nor-deoxycorticosterone (19-nor-DOC), produced in the kidney, has been shown to be excreted in excess in patients with APA. Deoxycorticosterone is a known precursor of aldosterone and 19-nor-DOC. This study is designed to evaluate the levels of prohormones in adrenal venous effluent in eight patients, three with APA, of which two were confirmed by surgical pathology and four with IHA, and one patient with primary adrenal hyperplasia. 19-OH-DOC, a precursor of 19-nor-DOC, was found to be the main prohormone in adrenal venous effluent in patients with both APA and IHA. 19-Oic-deoxycorticosterone and 19-nor-DOC were also detected, but in smaller quantities. 19-OH-DOC appears to be the main prohormone in adrenal venous effluent for the biosynthesis of 19-nor-DOC.

Adenoma↗

Altered 11 beta-hydroxylase activity in glucocorticoid-suppressible hyperaldosteronism.

Corticosteroid 11 beta-hydroxylation is catalyzed by 11 beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase. Using plasma steroid ratios, the level of this process in patients with glucocorticoid-suppressible hyperaldosteronism (GSH) was compared with that in unaffected control subjects and patients with Conn's syndrome. Based on both 11-deoxycortisol/cortisol (S:F) and 11-deoxycorticosterone/corticosterone (DOC:B) ratios, patients with GSH showed impaired resting 11 beta-hydroxylase activity. In GSH, but not in the other groups, the S:F ratio was significantly correlated with the basal plasma aldosterone concentration. ACTH infusion increased the S:F ratio in all of these patient groups, suggesting a common partial deficiency. The results also indicate that 11 beta-hydroxylation may be rate limiting in normal subjects. In control subjects and patients with Conn's syndrome, the DOC:B ratio was not affected by ACTH. However, in GSH patients, this ratio fell markedly, indicating an increased efficiency of 11 beta-hydroxylation of DOC (but not S). This may be due to the activation by ACTH of the zona fasciculata chimeric aldosterone synthase characteristic of this disease. Plasma aldosterone, corticosterone, and DOC concentrations appeared to be more sensitive to ACTH in GSH than in the other groups. The defect in 11 beta-hydroxylation in GSH accounts for the increased levels of DOC reported in this condition and may contribute to the phenotype variability.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗

Primary hyperaldosteronism in essential hypertensives: prevalence, biochemical profile, and molecular biology.

There is evidence that primary aldosteronism (PA) may be common in patients with essential hypertension (EH) when determinations of serum aldosterone (SA), plasma renin activity (PRA), and the SA/PRA ratio are used as screening. An inherited form of primary hyperaldosteronism is the glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (GRA) caused by an unequal crossing over between the CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 genes that results in a chimeric gene, which has aldosterone synthase activity regulated by ACTH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PA and the GRA in 305 EH patients and 205 normotensive controls. We measured SA (1-16 ng/dL) and PRA (1-2.5 ng/mL x h) and calculated the SA/PRA ratio in all patients. A SA/PRA ratio level greater than 25 was defined as being elevated. PA was diagnosed in the presence of high SA levels (>16 ng/dL), low PRA levels (<0.5 ng/mL x h), and very high SA/PRA ratio (>50). Probable PA was diagnosed when the SA/PRA ratio was more than 25 but the other criteria were not present. A Fludrocortisone test was done to confirm the diagnosis. GRA was differentiated from other forms of PA by: the aldosterone suppression test with dexamethasone, the high levels of 18-hydroxycortisol, and the genetic detection of the chimeric gene. In EH patients, 29 of 305 (9.5%) had PA, 13 of 29 met all the criteria for PA, and 16 of 29 were initially diagnosed as having a probable PA and confirmed by the fludrocortisone test. Plasma potassium was normal in all patients. The dexamethasone suppression test was positive for GRA in 10 of 29 and 18-hydroxycortisol levels were high in 2 of 29 patients who had also a chimeric gene. In normotensive subjects, 3 of 205 (1.46%) had PA, and 1 of 205 had a GRA. In summary, we found a high frequency of normokalemic PA in EH patients. A high proportion of PA suppressed SA with dexamethasone, but only a few had a chimeric gene or high levels of 18-hydroxycortisol. These results emphasize the need to further investigate EH patients.

Aldosterone↗

Severity of hypertension in familial hyperaldosteronism type I: relationship to gender and degree of biochemical disturbance.

In familial hyperaldosteronism type I (FH-I), inheritance of a hybrid 11beta-hydroxylase/aldosterone synthase gene causes ACTH-regulated aldosterone overproduction. In an attempt to understand the marked variability in hypertension severity in FH-I, we compared clinical and biochemical characteristics of 9 affected individuals with mild hypertension (normotensive or onset of hypertension after 15 yr, blood pressure never >160/100 mm Hg, < or = 1 medication required to control hypertension, no history of stroke, age >18 yr when studied) with those of 17 subjects with severe hypertension (onset before 15 yr, or systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure >120 mm Hg at least once, or > or = 2 medications, or history of stroke). Severe hypertension was more frequent in males (11 of 13 males vs. 6 of 13 females; P < 0.05). All 4 subjects still normotensive after age 18 yr were females. Of 10 other affected, deceased individuals (7 males and 3 females) from a single family, all six who died before 60 yr of age (4 by stroke) were males. Biochemical studies were conducted in 6 mild and 16 severe subjects. The 2 groups were similar in terms of urinary sodium excretion. Mild subjects tended, although not significantly, to have lower urinary 18-oxo-cortisol (mean +/- SD, 27.4 +/- 9.0 vs. 35.2 +/- 12.9 nmol/mmol creatinine x day), higher plasma potassium (4.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/L), and lower recumbent (0800 h after overnight recumbency) plasma aldosterone levels (498 +/- 279 vs. 744 +/- 290 pmol/L). Upright (midmorning after 2-3 h of upright posture) plasma aldosterone levels were similar (mild, 485 +/- 150; severe, 474 +/- 188 pmol/L). In 1 normotensive female, upright PRA was much higher, and the upright aldosterone/PRA ratio was much lower than that in the other subjects. The remaining mild subjects had similar upright PRA levels (mild, 2.8 +/- 1.4; severe, 3.7 +/- 3.2 pmol/ L x min) and aldosterone/PRA ratios (mild, 199.5 +/- 133.4; severe, 200.6 +/- 150.9) as severe subjects. During angiotensin II (AII) infusion studies (n = 6 mild and 10 severe), performed during recumbency, aldosterone levels were lower in the mild group both basally (404 +/- 144 vs. 843 +/- 498 pmol/L; P < 0.05) and after 60 min AII (2 ng/kg x min; 261 +/- 130 vs. 520 +/- 330 pmol/L; P < 0.05). Aldosterone was unresponsive (rose by <50%) to AII in all subjects. Day curve studies (blood collected every 2 h for 24 h; n = 2 mild and 7 severe) demonstrated abnormal regulation of aldosterone by ACTH rather than by AII in both groups. In conclusion, in this series of patients with FH-I, males had more severe hypertension, and the degree of hybrid gene-induced aldosterone overproduction may have contributed to the severity of hypertension.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of familial hyperaldosteronism type I: only partial suppression of adrenocorticotropin required to correct hypertension.

In familial hyperaldosteronism type I, inheritance of a hybrid 11beta-hydroxylase/aldosterone synthase gene leads to ACTH-regulated overproduction of aldosterone (causing hypertension) and of "hybrid" steroids, 18-hydroxy- and 18-oxo-cortisol. To determine whether complete suppression of the hybrid gene is necessary to normalize blood pressure, we sought evidence of persisting expression in eight patients who were rendered normotensive for 1.3-4.5 yr by glucocorticoid treatment. At the time of the study, six patients were receiving dexamethasone (0.125-0.25 mg/day) and two patients were taking prednisolone (2.5 or 5 mg/day). Urinary 18-oxo-cortisol levels during treatment demonstrated close correlation with mean "day curve" (blood collected every 2 h for 24 h) cortisol (r = 0.74), consistent with regulation by ACTH. Although urinary 18-oxo-cortisol levels were lower during than before treatment (mean 12.6 +/- 2.4 SEM vs. 35.0 +/- 5.6 nmol/mmol creatinine; P < 0.01), they remained above normal (0.8-5.2 nmol/mmol creatinine) in all eight patients. Although mean upright plasma potassium levels during treatment were higher, aldosterone levels lower, PRA levels higher, and aldosterone to PRA ratios lower than before treatment, PRA levels were uncorrected (< 13 pmol/L x min) and aldosterone to PRA ratios were uncorrected (>65) during treatment in four patients. For each of the eight patients, day curve aldosterone levels during treatment correlated more tightly with cortisol (mean r for the eight patients, 0.87 +/- 0.05 SEM) than with PRA (mean r = 0.36 +/- 0.10 SEM). Hence, control of hypertension by glucocorticoid treatment was associated, in all patients, with only partial suppression of ACTH-regulated hybrid steroid and aldosterone production. Normalization of urinary hybrid steroid levels and abolition of ACTH-regulated aldosterone production is not a requisite for hypertension control and, if used as a treatment goal, may unnecessarily increase the risk of Cushingoid side effects.

Adolescent↗

Hypokalemic weakness in hyperaldosteronism: activity-dependent conduction block.

The authors describe a 48-year-old man who presented with acute weakness. Serum K+ was 1.7 mmol/L, and investigations established hyperaldosteronism. Nerve excitability studies during hypokalemia demonstrated that axons were of high threshold with a fanning out of threshold electrotonus, consistent with hyperpolarization. Activity-dependent conduction block was induced by voluntary contraction. Excitability abnormalities resolved with K+ replacement. Activity-dependent conduction block induced by normal activity may contribute to weakness and paralysis developing with hypokalemia.

Action Potentials↗

Rapid screening test for primary hyperaldosteronism: ratio of plasma aldosterone to renin concentration determined by fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassays.

BACKGROUND: The ratio of plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity (PAC/PRA) is the most common screening test for primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA), but it is not standardized among laboratories. We evaluated new automated assays for the simultaneous measurement of PAC and plasma renin concentration (PRC). METHODS: We studied 76 healthy normotensive volunteers and 28 patients with confirmed PHA. PAC and PRC were measured immunochemically in EDTA plasma on the Nichols Advantage chemiluminescence analyzer, and PRA was determined by an activity assay. RESULTS: In volunteers, PAC varied from 33.3 to 1930 pmol/L, PRA from 1.13 to 19.7 ng.mL(-1).h(-1) (0.215 ng.mL(-1).h(-1) = 1 pmol.L(-1).s(-1)), and PRC from 5.70 to 116 mU/L. PAC/PRA ratios ranged from 4.35 to 494 (pmol/L)/(ng.mL(-1).h(-1)) and PAC/PRC ratios from 0.69 to 71.0 pmol/mU. In PHA patients, PAC ranged from 158 to 5012 pmol/L, PRA from 0.40 to 1.70 ng.mL(-1).h(-1), and PRC from 0.80 to 11.7 mU/L. PAC/PRA ratios were between 298 and 6756 (pmol/L)/(ng.mL(-1).h(-1)) and PAC/PRC ratios between 105 and 2328 pmol/mU. Whereas PAC or PRC showed broad overlap between PHA patients and volunteers, the PAC/PRC ratio indicated distinct discrimination of these two groups at a cutoff of 71 pmol/mU. CONCLUSION: The PAC/PRC ratio offers several practical advantages compared with the PAC/PRA screening method. The present study offers preliminary evidence that it may be a useful screening test for PHA. Further studies are required to validate these results, especially in hypertensive cohorts.

Adolescent↗

[The role of endogenous dopamine on mineralocorticoids secretion in normal subjects, patients with primary aldosteronism, and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism].

The role of endogenous dopamine (DA) on the secretion of several mineralocorticoids was studied in six normal subjects, eight patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), two patients with non-familial idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (NF-IHA), and four patients with familial IHA (F-IHA). To these subjects 10 mg metoclopramide (MCP) was administered intravenously, and plasma aldosterone (Ald), 18-OH-corticosterone (18-OH-B), 18-OH-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC), and DOC were measured by RIA. Further, five normal subjects were studied with MCP test after pretreatment with DA infusion (5 micrograms/kg/min over 90 min). After the administration of MCP, normal subjects showed significant increases in their plasma Ald and 18-OH-B, and slight increases in plasma 18-OH-DOC and DOC. However, no significant changes were observed in plasma ACTH, cortisol, PRA, serum K, Na and Cl. In patients with PA and NF-IHA, plasma Ald and the three precursors were increased after the administration of MCP. Especially, marked increases in plasma 18-OH-DOC were seen in PA patients. In contrast, F-IHA patients showed increases in the above mineralocorticoids except 18-OH-B. Following DA infusion in normal subjects neither basal plasma Ald secretion nor the responsiveness to MCP were modified. These results suggest that endogenous DA plays an inhibitory role in the terminal stages of mineralocorticoids production in man. However, the degree of the dopaminergic inhibition might be different between normal subjects and the patients with mineralocorticoids excess, and among the three groups of aldosteronism mentioned above.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone↗

[A case of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism with normal plasma aldosterone concentrations for 5 years after onset: a 12-year follow-up study].

We report a 54-year old man diagnosed as idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) at least 12 years after the onset. At the age of 42, he showed hypertension (162/100mmHg), hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, low plasma renin activity (PRA) and normal plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in a supine posture. Both PRA and PAC were elevated after a 2-hour ambulation following furosemide (60mg) injection. Since the accumulation of radioactivity following 131I-aldosterol injection with combined administration of dexamethasone was equally detected in both adrenal areas, he was diagnosed as low-renin essential hypertension (LREH). Blood pressure (BP) decreased to the normal range after treatment with nifedipine (40mg/day). At the age of 47, however, BP was hypertensive (164/106mmHg) serum potassium (K) level was normal. Although PAC was normal in a supine posture, it increased after a 2-hour ambulation following furosemide (60mg) injection. PRA after the stimulation was still suppressed despite the increase in PAC. At the age of 54, BP was 172/94mmHg. Serum K level was 3.4mEq/L. PRA was suppressed below 0.1 ng/ml/hr, while PAC was above the normal range (170pg/ml) in a supine posture. Serum cortisol and urinary excretion of 17-OHCS and 17-KS were within normal limits. PRA was still suppressed below 0.1 ng/ml/hr after a 2-hour ambulation following furosemide (60mg) injection, but PAC was markedly increased (330pg/ml). There was a diurnal rhythm of aldosterone, which was parallel to that of ACTH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aldosterone↗