[Corticoids secretion in primary aldosteronism. I. Diurnal variation and the effect of dexamethasone (author's transl)].

: For the purpose of studying the metabolism of adrenocortical steroids in primary aldosteronism, diurnal variation and the effect of dexamethasone were examined in four patients. The circadian rhythm of cortisol was observed in plasma aldosterone and corticosterone in all cases in the preoperative state. With regards to plasma progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, however, no demonstrable change was noted. Dexamethasone was administered to two subjects for 10 days before the operation. As a result, the urinary aldosterone of one subject decreased on the 5th day after the administration but was restored to its original value on the 10th day, while the urinary aldosterone of the other subject did not decrease at all. On the first day after the operation, the value of plasma cortisol was elevated, losing its circadian rhythm. On the 7th day after the operation, the normal circadian rhythm was observed again in plasma cortisol. Plasma aldosterone was reduced to the normal range without any demonstrable changes on the first and 7th days after the operation. On the 30th day after the operation, a slight cortisol-like circadian rhythm was observed. Plasma levels of progesterone, corticosterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate were almost within the normal range throughout the pre- and post-operative periods. Although plasma progesterone was within the normal range, it tended to be lower in the postoperative state than in the preoperative state.