Sodium Retaining Activity of 19-Nor-Steroids in Adrenalectomized Rats

Abstract

Summary1. Sodium retaining activity of nine 19-nor-steroids was tested in adrenalectomized rats. 2. The 19-nor-analogs of de-soxycorticosterone, Reichstein's Compound S, hydrocortisone and corticosterone showed 5.1, 0.25, 0.25 and 0.06 times the potency of desoxycorticosterone, respectively. 3. Sodium retention equal to that of 6 μg desoxycorticosterone was not detected in 5 other 19-nor-steroids, which showed less structural resemblance to adrenocortical steroids. 4. Our results indicate that varying degrees of activity will be found with removal of the methyl group at carbon 10, depending upon specific structure of the steroid.