[Role of steroid hormones in the etiology and clinical course of hypertension].

Examination was conducted of 33 healthy persons and 85 individuals suffering from hypertensive disease (stage IB, 52 patients and stage IIB, 33 patients) from 18 to 45 years of age. The basal level of three steroid hormones (progesterone, aldosterone, hydrocortisone) was studied by the radio-immune method. It was established that stabilization of arterial pressure is attended by an increase in the aldosterone/progresterone and aldosterone/hydrocortisone ratios. During one stage of the disease the basal level of steroid hormones varied within different limits, particularly in labile hypertension. The interconnection of blood plasma steroid hormone level and the age, duration of the disease, aggravation by hereditary factors, level of arterial pressure and daily and basal natriuresis was revealed.