Endocrine Abstracts

Analysis of sweat is well-established for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis and for testing for drug abuse. Cortisol, cortisone and aldosterone were identified in sweat in 1948, and the presence of 11 beta hydoxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in the epidermis was reported in 1990. At present there are no studies of the diagnostic value of sweat cortisol measurement. We have evaluated the use of a sweat patch comprising a small 47 by 32 mm rectangle of filter paper secured by a wa...

Plasma and urine 18-hydroxycortisol ('18-OHF') measurements are helpful to discriminate primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome) caused by adrenal hyperplasia (normal 18-OHF) from adrenal adenoma or glucocorticoid suppressible hyperaldosteronism ( raised 18-OHF). We have developed DELFIA time-resolved fluorescence assays for 18-OHF as a second-line biochemical investigation for patients with raised plasma aldosterone/ renin ratios. Following ether extraction, test samples ...