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The Metabolism and Binding Properties of ³H-Aldosterone in Plasma and Its Sex Dependence in Adrenalectomizec Rats

Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital and the Division of Biological and Medical Sciences, Brown University Providence, Rhode Island

Abstract

The rates of clearance of plasma ³H-radioactivity following intravenous injection of ³H-aldosterone was demonstrated to be sexdependent in adrenalectomized rats. The percentage plasma radioactivity which is CH₂CI₂- extractable is greater in female than in male rats from 5 min to 90 min postinjection; however, the quantities of CH₂CI₂-extiactable label are not significantly different until 60 min postinjection. The quantities of nonextractable, water-soluble metabolites of aldosterone (NEPD), which are markedly greater in the plasma of males, reach peak levels 30 min after injection of aldosterone, during the latent period of the hormone. In females, these polar metabolites (NEPD) are rapidly cleared from the blood.

The quantities of ³H-radioactivity associated with the plasma binding proteins are similar in both males and females. The unbound levels of aldosterone and its metabolites are significantly greater in the plasma of males.

These findings indicate that the sex hormones may influence not only the metabolism of aldosterone in rats, but also the plasma levels of unmetabolized aldosterone and its metabolites. (Endocrinology 96: 178, 1975)

Footnotes

^* Address requests for reprints to: David J. Morris, D. Phil., Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, R. I.

Received April 1, 1974.