Deoxycorticosterone and 17-ketosteroids. Elevated levels in adult hypertensive patients.

Plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone levels were manyfold elevated in three adult patients with hypertension and elevated urinary excretion levels of 17-ketosteroids but without Cushing's syndrome. Dexamethasone therapy resulted in suppression of these steroids and in improvement of blood pressure in two of the patients. A partial adrenal 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency appears to best explain these findings.