THE CORTISONE-LIKE EFFECT OF 6α=METHYL-17α-ACETOXYPROGESTERONE IN THE ADRENALECTOMIZED MAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT An attempt was made to determine whether 6α-methyl-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (MAP) was as active as a glucocorticoid in man, as in experimental animals. This steroid was administered as a substitute for cortisone to 5 patients with definite signs of adrenal insufficiency. The subcutaneous administration of MAP in doses of 100 mg per day caused the prompt and complete disappearance of the symptoms attributable to glucocorticoid insufficiency which had developed when cortisone had been replaced by 9α-fluoro-hydrocortisone. When substitution treatment was carried out with MAP only, compensation was practically the same as with the daily administration of 50 mg cortisone. The glucose-tolerance and the insulin tests demonstrated that MAP administered subcutaneously displayed a marked glycogenetic activity.