[Determination of free and protein bound cortisol, transcortin binding capacity and adrenocorticotropic hormone in the plasma of patients with hypertension].

The total non-conjugated plasma cortisol in 60 patients with hypertension disease (HD)is 17.5 mkg/ml. The free non-conjugated cortisol represents 8.45 per cent of the total - 1,5 mkg%, considerably (p less than 0.0001) higher than that in healthy subjects. Protein conjugated cortisol is 16.0 mkg%. The bounding capacity of transcortin the plasma of hypertonics is considerably decreased (p less than 0.0001) - 15.8 mkg (in healthy - 18.5 mkg) per 100 ml. ACTH level in the plasma of patients with HD is 32.0 pg/ml, considerably higher than that in healthy (25.8 pg/ml, p less than 0.0001). The elevation of the biologically active cortisol fraction in plasma of hypertonics is a function both of hypothalamo-hypopheseal stimulation and of transcortin level. That latent hypercortisolism is admitted to be manifestation of hypothalamo - hypopheseal superstimulation by increased ACTH secretion, in case of confirmed cerebro-hypothalamic disturbances in patients with hypertension disease.