In vivo and in vitro Studies on Steroid Metabolism in a Case of Primary Aldosteronism with Multiple Lesions of Adenoma and Nodular Hyperplasia

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In order to systematically analyze the regulation and metabolism of steroid hormones in a case of primary aldosteronism with multiple lesions, including adenoma and nodular hyperplasia of the left adrenal gland, the amounts of 9 steroids (progesterone (P), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), corticosterone (B), 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OH-B), aldosterone (Aldo), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P), 11-deoxycortisol (S), cortisol (F) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)) contained in the plasma and in the adrenal tissues were measured.
The patient (a 39-year-old female) was admitted to our hospital because of hypokalemia and hypertension. A diagnosis of primary aldosteronism was made on the basis of a complete evaluation, and an adenoma (1.8×1.2 cm), a nodular hyperplasia (0.5×0.5 cm), a microadenoma and a cortical nodule were found on the left adrenal gland.
In vivo studies revealed that the plasma level of Aldo was high, but those of the other steroid hormones were within the normal range. After ACTH infusion, the plasma levels of the 9 steroid hormones increased by 2 to 17 times the base levels.
In particular, the responses of DOC and B were markedly high.
In vitro studies on P, DOC, B, Aldo and F content in the adenoma (A), the nodular hyperplasia (A), the adjacent adrenal tissue (C) and the right normal adrenal tissue (D) revealed that, except for F, they were highest in A, followed by A, D and C in that order.
In incubation studies with ACTH using A and C, it was found that the levels of 8 steroid hormones with the exception of DHEAS were higher in A than in C.
In particular, the response of B in A was markedly increased.
These findings suggest that aldosteronoma produces 8 steroid hormones under conditions of excess ACTH, while at physiological levels of ACTH, it produces only Aldo in excess.