INCREASED STEROID METABOLIC CLEARANCE RATE IN ANEPHRIC PATIENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The control of plasma aldosterone level depends on the secretion rate and on the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of the hormone. The rate of aldosterone metabolism was measured in 6 anephric patients in comparison with normal volunteers. Unexpected high aldosterone MCR's were found in the anephric patients: 2700 ± 265 1/24 h (M ± sem), as compared to the normals (1600 ± 57). Passive 45° tilting did not significantly change aldosterone MCR's in both the normal and anephric patients. This increase in aldosterone MCR might be explained by a high hepatic plasma flow due to a high cardiac output. The haemodynamic condition of these patients could also explain the high testosterone MCR found in 3 male anephric patients, although testosterone-oestradiol binding globulin was in the high normal male range.