[Pathogenesis of arterial hypertension in the Itsenko-Cushing syndrome]

The search and measurements of the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and glucocorticoid receptors of type II (GR II) were made in the adrenals of 19 patients with Icenko-Cushing syndrome (ICS). ACE and GR II were detected in the tissues of the adrenal cortex and cortisol-producing tumors. It is suggested that glucocorticoids may induce ACE activity and in this way potentiate synthesis of angiotensin II. The effect is mediated by GR II. Activation of such tissue components of the renin-angiotensin system contributes much to the mechanism underlying arterial hypertension.