The hypertensinogenic activity of 18,19-dihydroxycorticosterone in adrenalectomized rats.

Adrenalectomized, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used to test the hypertensinogenic property of recently synthesized 18,19-dihydroxycorticosterone (18,19-Di-OH-B). The steroid was given via Alzet miniosmotic pump, with and without aldosterone. Neither 18,19-Di-OH-B (5 micrograms) nor aldosterone (5 micrograms) increased blood pressure in SHR when given alone; when administered together they resulted in a significant rise in blood pressure. Results indicate a high probability that certain mineralocorticoids, which are inactive by themselves, might play a role in the etiology of hypertension when acting together under physiological conditions.