Aldosterone deficiency with a hormone profile mimicking pseudohypoaldosteronism.

Background Aldosterone deficiency (hypoaldosteronism) or aldosterone resistance (pseudohypoaldosteronism) both result in defective aldosterone activity. Case presentation A 42-day-old man presented with failure to thrive, hyponatremia, high urine sodium output, severe hyperkalemia and high plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels. NR3C2, SCNN1A, B and G sequencing showed no variants. Exclusive sodium supplementation resulted in clinical stabilization and growth normalization. His younger sibling had similar clinical and laboratory features, except for low-normal aldosterone. Both patients showed compound heterozygous mutations in CYP11B2 (c.C554T/2802pbE1-E2del). The younger patient needed transient fludrocortisone treatment and higher sodium supplementation, recuperating his weight and a normal growth velocity, although below his brother's and target height (c.10th vs. c.50th). Conclusions On a suggestive clinical picture, high aldosterone plasma levels in early infancy do not rule out aldosterone insufficiency and might mislead differential diagnosis with pseudohypoaldosteronism. Therapeutic requests and growth impairment in hypoaldosteronism vary even with a common genetic background.

Hyperkalemic Forms of Renal Tubular Acidosis: Clinical and Pathophysiological Aspects.

In contrast to distal type I or classic renal tubular acidosis (RTA) that is associated with hypokalemia, hyperkalemic forms of RTA also occur usually in the setting of mild-to-moderate CKD. Two pathogenic types of hyperkalemic metabolic acidosis are frequently encountered in adults with underlying CKD. One type, which corresponds to some extent to the animal model of selective aldosterone deficiency (SAD) created experimentally by adrenalectomy and glucocorticoid replacement, is manifested in humans by low plasma and urinary aldosterone levels, reduced ammonium excretion, and preserved ability to lower urine pH below 5.5. This type of hyperkalemic RTA is also referred to as type IV RTA. It should be noted that the mere deficiency of aldosterone when glomerular filtration rate is completely normal only causes a modest decline in plasma bicarbonate which emphasizes the importance of reduced glomerular filtration rate in the development of the hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis associated with SAD. Another type of hyperkalemic RTA distinctive from SAD in which plasma aldosterone is not reduced is referred to as hyperkalemic distal renal tubular acidosis because urine pH cannot be reduced despite acidemia or after provocative tests aimed at increasing sodium-dependent distal acidification such as the administration of sodium sulfate or loop diuretics with or without concurrent mineralocorticoid administration. This type of hyperkalemic RTA (also referred to as voltage-dependent distal renal tubular acidosis) has been best described in patients with obstructive uropathy and resembles the impairment in both hydrogen ion and potassium secretion that are induced experimentally by urinary tract obstruction and when sodium transport in the cortical collecting tubule is blocked by amiloride.

Incidence and factors of post-adrenalectomy hyperkalemia in patients with aldosterone producing adenoma.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalemia is a potentially serious complication following adrenalectomy of aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA). We analyzed the incidence and risk factors for hyperkalemia after adrenalectomy in patients with APA. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 55 patients who underwent adrenalectomy for APA between 2002 and 2011. Demographic features, biochemical and hormonal profiles, imaging, and relevant medications were reviewed. RESULTS: Sixteen of 55 APA patients (29.1%) developed hyperkalemia (mean serum K(+) 5.6±0.3 mmol/l) after adrenalectomy and 3 had persistent hyperkalemia requiring mineralocorticoid supplementation for more than nine months. Compared with normokalemic patients, hyperkalemic patients were characterized by male predominance, older age, longer duration of hypertension (12.8±9.3 vs. 6.7±5.0 y, p<0.05), lower nadir serum K(+) (p<0.05), higher preoperative serum creatinine (p<0.01), and higher likelihood of residual hypertension. Using multivariate regression analysis, longer duration of hypertension and impaired renal function were the most important factors of post-adrenalectomy hyperkalemia. CONCLUSIONS: Post-adrenalectomy hyperkalemia in patients with APA is not rare and associated with impaired renal function and longer duration of hypertension. Serum K(+) must be cautiously monitored in patients with long-term hypertension and kidney disease.

Aldosterone deficiency prevents high-fat-feeding-induced hyperglycaemia and adipocyte dysfunction in mice.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Obesity is associated with aldosterone excess, hypertension and the metabolic syndrome, but the relative contribution of aldosterone to obesity-related complications is debated. We previously demonstrated that aldosterone impairs insulin secretion, and that genetic aldosterone deficiency increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vivo. We hypothesised that elimination of endogenous aldosterone would prevent obesity-induced insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia. METHODS: Wild-type and aldosterone synthase-deficient (As (-/-)) mice were fed a high-fat (HF) or normal chow diet for 12 weeks. We assessed insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion using clamp methodology and circulating plasma adipokines, and examined adipose tissue via histology. RESULTS: HF diet induced weight gain similarly in the two groups, but As (-/-) mice were protected from blood glucose elevation. HF diet impaired insulin sensitivity similarly in As (-/-) and wild-type mice, assessed by hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamps. Fasting and glucose-stimulated insulin were higher in HF-fed As (-/-) mice than in wild-type controls. Although there was no difference in insulin sensitivity during HF feeding in As (-/-) mice compared with wild-type controls, fat mass, adipocyte size and adiponectin increased, while adipose macrophage infiltration decreased. HF feeding significantly increased hepatic steatosis and triacylglycerol content in wild-type mice, which was attenuated in aldosterone-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These studies demonstrate that obesity induces insulin resistance independently of aldosterone and adipose tissue inflammation, and suggest a novel role for aldosterone in promoting obesity-induced beta cell dysfunction, hepatic steatosis and adipose tissue inflammation.

Aldosterone deficiency adversely affects pregnancy outcome in mice.

Circulating aldosterone levels are increased in human pregnancy. Inadequately low aldosterone levels as present in preeclampsia, a life-threatening disease for both mother and child, are discussed to be involved in its pathogenesis or severity. Moreover, inactivating polymorphisms in the aldosterone synthase gene have been detected in preeclamptic women. Here, we used aldosterone synthase-deficient (AS(-/-)) mice to test whether the absence of aldosterone is sufficient to impair pregnancy or even to cause preeclampsia. AS(-/-) and AS(+/+) females were mated with AS(+/+) and AS(-/-) males, respectively, always generating AS(+/-) offspring. With maternal aldosterone deficiency in AS(-/-) mice, systolic blood pressure was low before and further reduced during pregnancy with no increase in proteinuria. Yet, AS(-/-) had smaller litters due to loss of fetuses as indicated by a high number of necrotic placentas with massive lymphocyte infiltrations at gestational day 18. Surviving fetuses and their placentas from AS(-/-) females were smaller. High-salt diet before and during pregnancy increased systolic blood pressure only before pregnancy in both genotypes and abolished the difference in blood pressure during late pregnancy. Litter size from AS(-/-) was slightly improved and the differences in placental and fetal weights between AS(+/+) and AS(-/-) mothers disappeared. Overall, an increased placental efficiency was observed in both groups paralleled by a normalization of elevated HIF1α levels in the AS(-/-) placentas. Our results demonstrate that aldosterone deficiency has profound adverse effects on placental function. High dietary salt intake improved placental function. In this animal model, aldosterone deficiency did not cause preeclampsia.

Targeting activated mineralocorticoid receptor: Occam's razor revisited.

Activation of mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) classically has been associated with electrolyte transport, but we now know that MR activation can also lead to tissue inflammation and fibrosis. Aldosterone consistently activates MR, but under selected circumstances, endogenous glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone can also trigger MR. Tissue-specific safeguards such as the enzyme 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase limit glucocorticoid-induced MR activation, while the presence of reactive oxygen species may enhance the ability for glucocorticoid-induced MR activation even in the absence of aldosterone.

Aldosterone deficiency and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism prevent angiotensin II-induced cardiac, renal, and vascular injury.

Angiotensin II causes cardiovascular injury in part by aldosterone-induced mineralocorticoid receptor activation, and it can also activate the mineralocorticoid receptor in the absence of aldosterone in vitro. Here we tested whether endogenous aldosterone contributes to angiotensin II/salt-induced cardiac, vascular, and renal injury by the mineralocorticoid receptor. Aldosterone synthase knockout mice and wild-type littermates were treated with angiotensin II or vehicle plus the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone or regular diet while drinking 0.9% saline. Angiotensin II/salt caused hypertension in both the knockout and wild-type mice, an effect significantly blunted in the knockout mice. Either genetic aldosterone deficiency or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism reduced cardiac hypertrophy, aortic remodeling, and albuminuria, as well as cardiac, aortic, and renal plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA expression during angiotensin II treatment. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism reduced angiotensin II/salt-induced glomerular hypertrophy, but aldosterone deficiency did not. Combined mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism and aldosterone deficiency reduced blood urea nitrogen and restored nephrin immunoreactivity. Angiotensin II/salt also promoted glomerular injury through the mineralocorticoid receptor in the absence of aldosterone. Thus, mineralocorticoid antagonism may have protective effects in the kidney beyond aldosterone synthase inhibition.

[Inherited tubular renal acidosis]. / Acidose tubulaire rénale héréditaire.

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a tubulopathy characterized by metabolic acidosis with normal anion gap secondary to abnormalities of renal acidification. RTA can be classified into four main subtypes: distal RTA, proximal RTA, combined proximal and distal RTA, and hyperkalemic RTA. Distal RTA (type 1) is caused by the defect of H(+) secretion in the distal tubules and is characterized by the inability to acidify the urine below pH 5.5 during systemic acidemia. Proximal RTA (type 2) is caused by an impairment of bicarbonate reabsorption in the proximal tubules and characterized by a decreased renal bicarbonate threshold. Combined proximal and distal RTA (type 3) secondary to a reduction in tubular reclamation of bicarbonate and an inability to acidify the urine in the face of severe acidemia. Hyperkalemic RTA (type 4) may occur as a result of aldosterone deficiency or tubular insensitivity to aldosterone. Clinicians should be alert to the presence of RTA in patients with an unexplained normal anion gap acidosis, hypokalemia, recurrent nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. The mainstay of treatment of RTA remains alkali replacement.

Cardiac hypertrophy, low blood pressure, and low aldosterone levels in mice devoid of the three circadian PAR bZip transcription factors DBP, HLF, and TEF.

The cardiovascular system is under the control of the circadian clock, and disturbed circadian rhythms can induce cardiovascular pathologies. This cyclic regulation is probably brought about by the circadian expression of genes encoding enzymes and regulators involved in cardiovascular functions. We have previously shown that the rhythmic transcription of output genes is, in part, regulated by the clock-controlled PAR bZip transcription factors DBP (albumin D-site binding protein), HLF (hepatic leukemia factor), and TEF (thyrotroph embryonic factor). The simultaneous deletion of all three PAR bZip transcription factors leads to increased morbidity and shortened life span. In the present study, we demonstrate that Dbp/Tef/Hlf triple knockout mice develop cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction associated with a low blood pressure. These dysfunctions are exacerbated by an abnormal response to this low blood pressure characterized by low aldosterone levels. The phenotype of PAR bZip knockout mice highlights the importance of circadian regulators in the modulation of cardiovascular functions.

[Clinical characteristics of five elderly patients with severe hypokalemia induced by glycyrrhizin derivatives].

Although hypokalemia is a common clinical problem, symptoms generally do not become manifest unless the serum potassium (K) falls rapidly. We encountered five cases with symptomatic severe hypokalemia (K<2.0 mEq/L) hospitalized for the past 15 months at our hospital. We examined the clinical characteristics and treatment of these patients. All five patients were women, and their mean age was 77.8 (73-82)years. They suffered from hypertension. Mean K level at admission was 1.66 (1.4-1.9) mEq/L and HCO3(-) was 48.3 (33.6-56.1) mmol/L. Plasma aldosterone level was low and plasma rennin activity was suppressed. All patients developed progressive muscle weakness with elevated creatinine phosphokinase. Three of the patients had received Chinese medicine which contained licorice, one received glycyrrhizin and the other one had received both. We diagnosed these cases as pseudoaldosteronism induced by glycyrrhizin. With discontinuation of the drugs and intravenous as well as oral K supplementation, serum K were normalized and clinical symptoms improved within 12 days. For one patient who developed cardiac dysfunction, concentrated K solution (230 mEq/L) was infused into the central vein. These findings show that glycyrrhizin ingestion should be kept in mind as a cause of an extreme degree of an hypokalemia, especially in elderly patients.

Development of a highly sensitive ELISA for aldosterone in mouse urine: validation in physiological and pathophysiological states of aldosterone excess and depletion.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies have established aldosterone as a critical physiological and pathophysiological factor in salt and water homeostasis, blood pressure control and in heart failure. Genetic and physiological studies of mice are used to model these processes. A sensitive and specific assay for aldosterone is therefore needed to monitor adrenocortical activity in murine studies of renal function and cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Antibodies against aldosterone were raised in sheep as previously described. HRP-Donkey-anti-sheep IgG enzyme tracer was produced in our laboratory using the Lightning-Link HRP technique. Aldosterone ELISA protocol was validated and optimised to achieve the best sensitivity. The assay was validated by analysing the urine of mice collected under various experimental conditions designed to stimulate or suppress aldosterone in the presence of other potentially interfering steroid hormones. RESULTS: Cross-reactivity with the steroids most likely to interfere was minimal: corticosterone=0.0028%, cortisol=0.0006%, DOC=0.0048% except for 5alpha-dihydro-aldosterone=1.65%. Minimum detection limit of this ELISA was 5.2 pmole/L (1.5 pg/mL). The validity of urinary aldosterone ELISA was confirmed by the excellent correlation between results obtained before and after solvent extraction and HPLC separation step (Y=1.092X+0.03, R(2)=0.995, n=54). Accuracy studies, parallelism and imprecision data were determined and all found to be satisfactory. Using this assay, mean urinary aldosterone levels were (i) approximately 60-fold higher in females than males mice; (ii) increased 6-fold by dietary sodium restriction; (iii) increased 10-fold by ACTH infusion and (iv) reduced by >60% in Cyp11b1 null mice. CONCLUSION: We describe an ELISA for urinary aldosterone that is suitable for repeated non-invasive measurements in mice. Female aldosterone levels are higher than males. Unlike humans, most aldosterone in mouse urine is not conjugated. Increased levels were noted in response to dietary sodium restriction and ACTH treatment. The sensitivity of the assay is sufficient to detect suppressed levels in mouse models of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

The role of adrenal steroidogenesis in arterial hypertension.

Adrenal aldosterone production, the major regulator of salt and water retention, is discussed with respect to hypertensive diseases. Physiological aldosterone production is tightly regulated, either stimulated or inhibited, in the adrenal zona glomerulosa by both circulating factors and/or by locally derived endothelial factors. Arterial hypertension caused by volume overload is the leading clinical symptom indicating increased mineralocorticoid hormones. Excessive aldosterone production is seen in adenomatous disease of the adrenals. The balance between stimulatory/proliferative and antagonistic signaling is disturbed by expression of altered receptor subtypes in the adenomas. Increased aldosterone production without a detectable adenoma is the most frequent form of primary aldosteronism. Both increased sensitivity to agonistic signals and activating polymorphisms within the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) have been associated with excessive aldosterone production. 17alpha-Hydroxylase deficiency and glucocorticoidremediable aldosteronism can also cause excessive mineralocorticoid synthesis. In contrast, the severe form of pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, is characterized by a compromised volume expansion in the presence of inappropriately low aldosterone levels. Initial evidence suggests that compromised CYP11B2 is causative, and that administration of NaCl lowered blood pressure in pregnant patients with low aldosterone availability due to a loss of function.

Dietary electrolyte-driven responses in the renal WNK kinase pathway in vivo.

WNK1 and WNK4 are unusual serine/threonine kinases with atypical positioning of the catalytic active-site lysine (WNK: With-No-K[lysine]). Mutations in these WNK kinase genes can cause familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt), an autosomal dominant, hypertensive, hyperkalemic disorder, implicating this novel WNK pathway in normal regulation of BP and electrolyte balance. Full-length (WNK1-L) and short (WNK1-S) kinase-deficient WNK1 isoforms previously have been identified. Importantly, WNK1-S is overwhelmingly predominant in kidney. Recent Xenopus oocyte studies implicate WNK4 in inhibition of both thiazide-sensitive co-transporter-mediated Na+ reabsorption and K+ secretion via renal outer medullary K+ channel and now suggest that WNK4 is inhibited by WNK1-L, itself inhibited by WNK1-S. This study examined WNK pathway gene expression in mouse kidney and its regulation in vivo. Expression of WNK1-S and WNK4 is strongest in distal tubule, dropping sharply in collecting duct and with WNK4 also expressed in thick ascending limb and the macula densa. These nephron segments that express WNK1-S and WNK4 mRNA have major influence on long-term NaCl reabsorption, BP, K+, and acid-base balance, processes that all are disrupted in FHHt. In vivo, this novel WNK pathway responds with significant upregulation of WNK1-S and WNK4 with high K+ intake and reduction in WNK1-S on chronic lowering of K+ or Na+ intake. A two-compartment distal nephron model explains these in vivo findings and the pathophysiology of FHHt well, with WNK and classic aldosterone pathways responding to drivers from K+ balance, extracellular volume, and aldosterone and cross-talk through distal Na+ delivery regulating electrolyte balance and BP.

Triple-A syndrome--the first Chinese patient with novel mutations in the AAAS gene.

We report on the first Chinese patient with triple-A syndrome, who presented at 22 months with status epilepticus secondary to hyponatraemia and hypoglycaemia. Subsequent endocrine investigations confirmed primary adrenal insufficiency and aldosterone deficiency. In the presence of achalasia and alacrima, this patient satisfies the diagnostic criteria of triple-A syndrome. Further molecular testing detected compound heterozygous mutations in the AAAS gene: a c.580C --> T transition in exon 7 and a c.771delG single nucleotide deletion in exon 8. Testing of parents and brother confirmed their heterozygous carrier status.

Endocrine problems in critically ill children: an overview.

The endocrine system maintains a delicate balance of physiologic processes including growth and sexual maturation, energy production and utilization, fluid and electrolyte balance, and circulatory function. Although endocrine regulation of growth and sexual maturation is a significant issue in general pediatrics, disorders of energy production and utilization, fluid and electrolyte balance, and circulatory function are the endocrine causes of critical illness in children. Care of the child with critical endocrine disease requires an understanding of endocrine pathophysiology, keen history taking and assessment skills, and knowledge of the pharmacology of synthetic hormone treatment. This article will provide an overview of common endocrine problems encountered in critically ill children with attention to endocrine problems that are unique to pediatrics and that may pose diagnostic and treatment dilemmas for healthcare providers without experience or education in pediatric critical care.

[Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: clinical aspects and neonatal screening]. / Het adrenogenitaal syndroom: klinische aspecten en neonatale screening.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a disorder of adrenal steroid synthesis. In 95% of CAH cases, it is caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency, leading to cortisol deficiency and (in most cases) aldosterone deficiency. The compensatory increase in ACTH secretion by the pituitary gland leads to stimulation of the adrenal glands and, consequently, overproduction of androgens. The classic form is well known due to the congenital virilisation seen in affected girls. However, the cortisol and aldosterone deficiency is at least equally important in both sexes as it can cause an Addisonian crisis within the first weeks of life. For these reasons, a neonatal CAH screening program has been introduced in the Netherlands. Screening results in earlier detection and treatment. The prevalence of the classic form of the disease is 1:12.000 in the Netherlands. Non-classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency is more frequent, presenting with signs of androgen excess from childhood through to adulthood. Treatment of CAH consists of hormonal replacement and surgical correction in case of congenital virilisation in girls. Long-term treatment results, including height at adulthood, have improved over the last decades. Nevertheless, fertility problems can occur in both sexes.

Type 1 aldosterone synthase deficiency presenting in a middle-aged man.

Aldosterone synthase deficiency due to mutations in the CYP11B2 gene usually presents in infancy with electrolyte abnormalities and failure to thrive, whereas affected adults are usually asymptomatic. We describe a patient who first came to medical attention in middle age when he developed hyperkalemia after preparation for a barium enema. Past medical history was notable for failure to thrive in infancy. He had elevated PRA with low serum and urinary levels of aldosterone and its metabolites and normal or slightly elevated levels of 18-hydroxycorticosterone. These findings suggested a diagnosis of type 1 aldosterone synthase deficiency. The patient had a homozygous duplication of six nucleotides at codon 143 in exon 3 of CYP11B2, leading to the insertion of two amino acid residues (Arg-Leu). When the corresponding mutant complementary DNA was expressed in cultured cells, the resulting enzyme was completely inactive, confirming the diagnosis. We conclude that aldosterone synthase deficiency represents an unusual cause of hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism presenting in adult life, but it should be suspected if the past medical history is positive for failure to thrive in childhood or if the patient manifests no other recognized causes of hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism.

Renal tubular acidosis syndromes.

Renal tubular acidosis is a constellation of syndromes arising from different derangements of tubular acid transport. Recent advances in the biology of urinary acidification have allowed us to discern various molecular mechanisms responsible for these syndromes. This report relates clinical disorders of acidification to the underlying defective mechanisms responsible for them. A clinical classification of these disorders is presented, integrating each disorder with the prevailing serum potassium concentration. That renal tubular acidosis can be associated with low, normal, or high serum potassium concentration is now explainable by identifying the specific defect in transport causing each syndrome.