THE EFFECT OF THE 11β-HYDROXYLASE BLOCKING SUBSTANCE, SU-4885, ON THE URINARY EXCRETION OF 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS AND OF MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE-LIKE ACTIVITY

Abstract

ABSTRACT 1. The effect of an 11β-hydroxylase inhibiting substance (SU–4885) on the urinary excretion of 17-OHCS and MSH-like activity was studied in ten normal male subjects. SU-4885 was administered both orally and intravenously in a dosage range varying from 3 to 16 g. 2. A sharp increase of free and of low polar conjugated 17-OHCS excretion was noted in every case. The 17-OHCS of higher polarity showed no consistent changes. 3. An evident increase in MSH-like activity in urine was found in only 2 subjects. A doubtful effect was present in 3 other cases. 4. It is suggested that there is no exact parallelism between ACTH and MSH response to an inhibition of cortisol biosynthesis in the adrenal cortex.