Effects of aldosterone on the urinary excretion of total and non-dialyzable hydroxyproline.

In order to explore the role of mineralocorticoids on collagen metabolism, the effects of aldosterone on the urinary excretion of total and non dialyzable hydroxyproline (HYPRO) was studied in rats. The administration of aldosterone in sesame oil, 75 microgram/100 g body weight to adrenalectomized rats maintained on 1% NaCl solution as drinking fluid and 1 mg of cortisone subcutaneously daily, provoked elevation of total and non dialyzable HYPRO in urine (P less than 0.001), when compared to similarly treated adrenalectomized rats receiving sesame oil but no aldosterone. Both groups showed a normal growth curve and had similar urinary excretion of creatinine. The effects of aldosterone are opposed to the known lowering effects of glucocorticoids on HYPRO excretion and may suggest an effect of aldosterone on collagen turnover. Alternatively, aldosterone may modify the metabolism or excretion of HYPRO in an opposite manner to that of glucocorticoids.