aldosterone

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland. It acts as the primary mineralocorticoid in humans, playing a central role in the regulation of blood pressure and electrolyte balance by promoting sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney. In the context of clinical research at Vanderbilt University, exogenous aldosterone is administered via intravenous infusion to investigate its physiological effects on glucose homeostasis. Specifically, researchers are exploring how elevated aldosterone levels contribute to insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, which are hallmark features of metabolic syndrome. This experimental use aims to clarify the link between hyperaldosteronism and the development of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.

Other names

11beta,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregn-4-en-18-alelectrocortin