[Cortisol metabolism in hypertensive patients during the crisis period]

The examination was conducted in 67 patients with Stage II essential hypertension, aged 29 to 60 years (13 males and 54 females). Cortisol metabolism was assessed on the basis of a study of daily urine excretions of tetrahydrocortisol, tetrahydrocortisone, cortisol, cortisone, 17-oxy-11-desoxycortisol and of their ratio. It is found that in patients with Stage II essential hypertension, beyond the period of exacerbation, cortisol metabolism and the glucocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex are unchanged. During crises the gluococorticoid function of the adrenal cortex is activated, and some changes develop in cortisol metabolism. The severity of the crisis does not affect cortisol metabolism, but results in a growing total secretory activity of the adrenal cortex.