The role of 11-deoxycorticosterone in human hypertension.

1. Using a newly developed and validated radioassay method, we have measured plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone concentrations in a wide spectrum of human hypertensive states. 2. Patients with essential and renovascular hypertension have normal plasma concentrations of 11-deoxycorticosterone. 3. Elevated concentrations are seen in some patients with primary aldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome, low-renin hypertension, and in adult hypertensive subjects with elevated urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion. 4. An aetiological role for deoxycorticosterone in certain forms of human hypertension appears likely.