Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
In these people the defect had the effect of an isolated impairment of sex steroid (e.g., DHEA in the adrenal, but also gonadal testosterone and estrogens) synthesis, whereas mineralocorticoid (e.g., aldosterone) and glucocorticoid (e.g., cortisol) levels remain normal. [citation needed]
Aldosterone is the primary of several endogenous members of the class of mineralocorticoids in humans. [citation needed] Deoxycorticosterone is another important member of this class. Aldosterone tends to promote Na + and water retention, and lower plasma K + concentration by the following mechanisms:
The name mineralocorticoid derives from early observations that these hormones were involved in the retention of sodium, a mineral.The primary endogenous mineralocorticoid is aldosterone, although a number of other endogenous hormones (including progesterone [1] and deoxycorticosterone) have mineralocorticoid function.
Measuring aldosterone alone is not considered adequate to diagnose primary hyperaldosteronism. Rather, both renin and aldosterone are measured, and a resultant aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is used for case detection. [20] [21] A high aldosterone-to-renin ratio suggests the presence of primary hyperaldosteronism. The diagnosis is made by ...
Hyperaldosteronism is a medical condition wherein too much aldosterone is produced. High aldosterone levels can lead to lowered levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia) and increased hydrogen ion excretion . Aldosterone is normally produced in the adrenal glands.
The outermost layer, the zona glomerulosa is the main site for the production of aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid. The synthesis and secretion of aldosterone are mainly regulated by the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. The zona glomerulosa cells express a specific enzyme aldosterone synthase (also known as CYP11B2).
The mineralocorticoid receptor (or MR, MLR, MCR), also known as the aldosterone receptor or nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 2, (NR3C2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NR3C2 gene that is located on chromosome 4q31.1-31.2. [5] MR is a receptor with equal affinity for mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids.
A mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA or MCRA) [1] or aldosterone antagonist, is a diuretic drug which antagonizes the action of aldosterone at mineralocorticoid receptors. This group of drugs is often used as adjunctive therapy, in combination with other drugs, for the management of chronic heart failure .