The suprarenal function in allergic asthma. Determination of the plasma and urinary 17-OH-corticoids and of the urinary 17-ketosteroids before and after ACTH Zn.

Introduction The connection between suprarenal function and allergic diseases has been the subject of some investigation. In 1922, Kenipow found that anaphylactic reactions were increased in guinea pigs whose suprarenal glands had been partially removed. Later Eriksson-Lihr et al.°found that the daily excretion of the 17-ketosteroids was decreased in allergic dis eases; these observations were subsequently confirmed by other authors. Rose and his colleagues1' have studied the daily excretion of the 17-OH corticoids in patients during the dyspneic crisis and they have found it decreased. Siegel et al.'3 have determined 17-OH-corticoids of the plasma in asthmatic patients and they have found increased values, particularly in patients with intense symptoms. In previous works,'6―7we have studied the blood proteins and electro lytes in 40 patients with respiratory allergy, most of them asthmatic. We found a decrease of sodium and plasma chlorine and an increase of potassium and globular chlorine; these variations were highly significant from the point of view of statistics and they were similar to those observ able in suprarenal insufficiency. Subsequently we have carried out'9 with the same type of patients the determination of the urinary 17-keto steroids and the eosinophil counts before and 24 hours after intra muscular injection of 80 units of ACTH gel. We found initially low values of 17-ketosteroids and a highly significant decrease (P=0.001) of the response to the ACTH. These findings have led us to a thorough study of the suprarenal function in allergic asthma.2°