Names | |
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IUPAC name
11β,21-Dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregn-4-en-18-al
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Identifiers | |
52-39-1 | |
3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image |
ChEBI | CHEBI:27584 |
ChEMBL | ChEMBL273453 |
ChemSpider | 5633 |
DrugBank | DB04630 |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.128 |
2872 | |
KEGG | C01780 |
MeSH | Aldosterone |
PubChem | 5839 |
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Properties | |
C21H28O5 | |
Molar mass | 360.45 g·mol−1 |
Pharmacology | |
H02AA01 (WHO) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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what is ?) | (|
Infobox references | |
Aldosterone, the main mineralocorticoid hormone, is a steroid hormone produced by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland. It is essential for sodium conservation in the kidney, salivary glands, sweat glands and colon. It plays a central role in the regulation of the plasma sodium (Na+), the extracellular potassium (K+) and arterial blood pressure. It does so mainly by acting on the mineralocorticoid receptors in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of the nephron. It influences the reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium (from and into the tubular fluids, respectively) of the kidney, thereby indirectly influencing water retention or loss, blood pressure and blood volume. When dysregulated, aldosterone is pathogenic and contributes to the development and progression of cardiovascular and renal disease. Aldosterone has exactly the opposite function of the atrial natriuretic hormone secreted by the heart.
Aldosterone is part of the renin–angiotensin system. It has a plasma half-life of under 20 minutes. Drugs that interfere with the secretion or action of aldosterone are in use as antihypertensives, like lisinopril, which lowers blood pressure by blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), leading to lower aldosterone secretion. The net effect of these drugs is to reduce sodium and water retention but increase retention of potassium. Another example is spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic of the steroidal spirolactone group, which decreases blood pressure by releasing fluid from the body while retaining potassium.