[Circadian variations of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and of tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol in the healthy man: effect of the continuous administration of metyrapone (SU 4885)].

In eight apparently healthy young men a circadian rhythm (P less than 0,05) in urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17 OHCS) and tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol (THS) has been demonstrated before (A), during (B) and after (C) a 36 h sustained oral administration of metyrapone (7.50 g in ten doses of 0.75 g every 4 h). Subjects synchronization: light-on 0715; light-off 2300. 17 OHCS have the acrophase phi located at 1430 (2:30 p.m.) in the three circumstances. Only traces of THS are excreted during A. During B and C when THS is excreted, a circadian rhythm is validated (p less than 0.05) with a phi at 1430.