[Effect of spirolactones on the urinary excretion of individual 17-oxosteroids and of pregnanediol in man (author's transl)].

The effect of spirolactones on the urinary excretion of individual 17-oxosteroids and of pregnanediol in man was investigated under various conditions. After purification by thin-layer chromatography, the 17-oxosteroids and pregnanediol were determined by gas chromatography. Eleven male subjects (age 21-34 years) received a daily dose of 200 mg spironolactone (Aldactone) orally on seven consecutive days. Five female subjects (age 20-35 years) and ten pregnant women (age 20-35 years; 28th.-39th. week of gestation) were given a daily intravenous injection of 600 mg potassium canrenoate (Aldactone pro injectione) on three consecutive days. In the male subjects, the excretion of individual 17-oxosteroids and of pregnanediol was significantly reduced during administration of spironolactone. In the nonpregnant female subjects, the excretion of etiocholanolone and dehydroepiandrosterone was diminished, whereas in the pregnant women, the excretion of pregnanediol and dehydroepiandrosterone was decreased during treatment with potassium canrenoate. These results suggest that the reduced urinary excretion of steroids may be due to an inhibition of steroid metabolising enzymes by spirolactones. It seems likely that spirolactones affect the enzymatic conversion fo cholesterol to pregnenolone.