gestodene and spirorenone

The ability of 11 steroids with varying degrees of progestogenic potency to inhibit the renal actions of aldosterone was tested in adrenalectomized, glucocorticoid-treated rats. The rats were continuously infused with an isotonic solution of low sodium content (0.05% NaCl + 5.2% glucose, 3 ml/rat/h) supplemented with d-aldosterone [1 microgram/(kg X h)] resulting in a long-lasting reduction in renal sodium excretion, increase in renal potassium excretion and hence decrease in the urinary Na/K-ratio. The test drugs were administered either subcutaneously or orally 1 h before start of infusion. Their antimineralocorticoid activity was judged by the increase in the aldosterone-lowered Na/K-ratio in urine which was collected at hourly intervals for 15 or 21 h, respectively. Adrenalectomized, glucocorticoid-treated rats receiving an i.v. infusion without aldosterone were used for assessing possible mineralocorticoid effects of the steroids tested. D-Norgestrel, norethisterone acetate, 3-keto-desogestrel (the active metabolite of desogestrel) and cyproterone acetate, respectively, did neither show antimineralocorticoid nor mineralocorticoid activity when injected subcutaneously at a dose of 53.3 mg/kg. In contrast, gestodene (26.7 or 53.3 mg/kg s.c., respectively), progesterone (53.3 mg/kg s.c.), spironolactone (26.7 mg/kg s.c.), spirorenone (13.3 mg/kg s.c.), 1,2-dihydro-spirorenone (13.3 mg/kg s.c.), or 1,2 alpha-methylene-spirorenone (13.3 mg/kg s.c.) exhibited significant anti-mineralocorticoid activity. Canrenone (53.3 mg/kg s.c.) slightly increased the urinary Na/K-ratio. This effect, however, was not significant. Gestodene, like spironolactone or progesterone, was devoid of aldosterone-like mineralocorticoid activity. With the exception of progesterone, the antimineralocorticoid activity of the steroids tested could also be demonstrated after oral administration. Based on the Na/K-ratio or the log (Na X 100)/K-ratio, the potency of each test compound relative to spironolactone was evaluated using regression analysis. The following results (average relative potency, spironolactone = 1.0) were obtained: gestodene: approximately 0.2; canrenone: approximately 0.3-0.35; spirorenone: approximately 7-8; 1,2-dihydro-spirorenone: approximately 8; 1,2 alpha-methylene-spirorenone: approximately 3.5. Progesterone which was evaluated after s.c. injection exhibited an average relative potency of approximately 0.35. Due to these results, gestodene may be regarded as th

Topics: Adrenalectomy; Aldosterone; Androstadienes; Androstenes; Animals; Canrenoic Acid; Canrenone; Cyproterone; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; Mineralocorticoids; Norethindrone; Norgestrel; Norpregnenes; Potassium; Progesterone; Progesterone Congeners; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sodium; Spironolactone