That Inhibit Adrenocortical Hormone Biosynthesis

Mineralocorticoids are also steroid hormones that are produced by the adrenal cortex. The principal mineralocorticoid in humans is aldosterone. Aldosterone is primarily involved in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. This hormone works on the kidneys to increase sodium and water reabsorption and potassium excretion. 

In addition to the angiotensin II effects, aldosterone secretion is regulated by increased plasma potassium levels.75,83 Presumably, elevated plasma potassium serves as a stimulus to increase aldosterone release, thus causing increased potassium excretion and a return to normal plasma levels. Finally, there is evidence that ACTH may also play a role in aldosterone release. Although ACTH is primarily involved in controlling glucocorticoid secretion, this hormone may also stimulate mineralocorticoid release to some extent.75 

Aldosterone exerts its effects on the kidneys by binding to specific receptors in epithelial cells that line the distal tubule of the nephron.18 These receptors have a high affinity for mineralocorticoid hormones. They also have a moderate affinity for many of the natural glucocorticoid hormones (e.g., cortisol) and a low 

In addition to their effects on the synthesis of membrane sodium channels, mineralocorticoids also have a more rapid and immediate effect on sodium reabsorption.28,43 This effect was originally thought to 

In addition to its normal role in controlling fluid and electrolyte balance, aldosterone can have detrimental effects on the heart and vasculature. Excess or prolonged aldosterone production can cause hypertrophy and fibrosis of cardiac and vascular tissues and lead to detrimental changes in these tissues.30,78 Moreover, it is now apparent that aldosterone can be produced locally within certain tissues including the heart and vascular endothelium.78,83 That is, these tissues may produce their own supply of aldosterone as well as receive circulating levels of aldosterone from the 

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Drugs That Inhibit Adrenocortical Hormone Biosynthesis... 

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