Measurement and mechanism of control of steroid hormones

Wilson, Alfred (1973) Measurement and mechanism of control of steroid hormones. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Two methods of measuring peripheral plasma deoxycorticosterone (DOC) concentration have been developed using the techniques of gas-liquid chromatography with electron capture detection and radioimmunoassay. The reliability of these methods has been assessed and compared, A number of physiological studies have been carried out in order to further evaluate the techniques and also to investigate some factors controlling the peripheral plasma concentration of DOC, Plasma DOC concentration was consistently raised by injection of synthetic 1-24 ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) or by increasing endogenous ACTH by insulin hypoglycaemia. Infusion of mildly pressor doses of angiotensin, dietary sodium depletion and change of posture did not affect plasma DOC concentration in normal subjects. However, in obese subjects, dietary sodium depletion was found to increase plasma DOC levels while total starvation caused a marked fall. Plasma DOC concentration was also elevated during normal pregnancy. Plasma DOC concentrations were measured in a number of hypertensive subjects known to have low plasma concentration of renin and potassium and normal or low aldosterone level. DOG levels were elevated in 6 out of 21 of these subjects. It is not known whether these levels maintained over a prolonged period of time would be sufficient to cause hypertension. The concentration of DOC in whole blood was measured in rats given injections of DOC-pivalate or saline in order to investigate the suitability of the gas chromatographic technique for measurement of DOC in whole blood in the study of induced hypertension in the rat. Maximum DOC concentration in whole blood in rats receiving DOC pivalate was 10-12 times higher than the levels attained in saline injected rats and was achieved within 12 hours of injection.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: R MS Smellie
• Keywords: Analytical chemistry, Endocrinology
• Date of Award: 1973
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1973-72833
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 11 Jun 2019 11:06
• Last Modified: 11 Jun 2019 11:06
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/72833