Aldosterone description

The book explores the invention of new chemical reactions for use in the synthesis of biologically and economically important compounds. It begins with a mechanistic study of the industrial importance of the pyrolysis of chlorinated alkanes. It continues with a theory on the biosynthesis of phenolate derived alkaloids involving phenolate radical coupling. Included in the book is a description of the work on nitrite photolysis (the Barton Reaction) which involved the invention of new radical chemistry leading to a simple synthesis of the hormone, aldosterone. In two final chapters Dr Shyamal Parekh views Professor Barton s pioneering work from the modern perspective, with a review of recent applications in industry and research. 

The fact that most of the Holarrhena alkaloids are characterized by substitution in position 18 was utilized for preparation of a series of nitrogen-free, 18-substituted steroids, which are of interest in relation to the adrenocortical hormone aldosterone. A detailed description would be beyond the scope of this summary. However, since some steps in these syntheses constitute interesting reactions of Holarrhena alkaloids, a brief outline, dealing with the principles of these procedures, will be presented here. 

S. A. 8., An investigation of the urinary metabolites and secretion rates of aldosterone and cortisol in man and a description of methods for their measurement. Acta Endocrinol. 36, 237-264 (1961). 

Figure 2 The FIDOS and DoTS descriptions of hyperkalemia due to aldosterone receptor antagonists.

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