Stimulation and suppression of the mineralocorticoid hormones in normal subjects and adrenocortical disorders.

In summary, maneuvers that affect the RAS stimulate or suppress solely aldosterone and 18-OHB and have little, if any, effect on DOC, 18-OHDOC, B, or cortisol. The magnitude of aldosterone response seems to be of equal magnitude for all stimulatory or suppressive maneuvers as used in the present protocols. Although primarily originating in the ZG, some secretion of 18-OHB from the ZF is evident by its disproportionate responses (in relation to aldosterone) to maneuvers challenging ACTH. The prompt and marked increases the 18-OHDOC and B after ACTH make them the most sensitive "markers" of the ZF steroid activity. The application of those maneuvers and MCH measurements to adrenal disorders should help to further characterize their pathophysiology.