A steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates the salt and water balance in the body.
[ALD(EHYDE) + STER(OL) + –ONE.]
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A steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates the salt and water balance in the body.
[ALD(EHYDE) + STER(OL) + –ONE.]
The steroid hormone found in the biologically active amorphous fraction that remains after separation of the various crystalline steroid substances, such as cortisol and corticosterone, from adrenal extracts. In solution, aldosterone exists as an equilibrium mixture of aldo and lactol forms (see illustration).

Structures for two forms of aldosterone in an equilibrium mixture, (a) aldo and (b) lactol.
The chief function of aldosterone is the regulation of electrolyte metabolism, that is, promotion of sodium retention and enhancement of potassium excretion. Aldosterone is the most potent of the hormones which are concerned in this type of metabolism. See also Adrenal gland; Hormone; Steroid.
A steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex which controls the excretion of salts and water by the kidneys.
An adrenal corticosteroid hormone that acts primarily to accelerate the exchange of potassium for sodium in the renal tubules and other cells. Aldosterone is a potent mineralocorticoid but also has some regulatory effect on carbohydrate metabolism.
A mineralocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, which regulates salt balance. Aldosterone increases reabsorption of sodium and secretion of potassium by the kidney tubules. It also has an important role in controlling the volume of body fluids. Aldosterone secretion is increased during and immediately after exercise.
The main mineralocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, the principal biological activity of which is the regulation of electrolyte and water balance by promoting the retention of sodium (and, therefore, of water) and the excretion of potassium; the retention of water induces an increase in plasma volume and an increase in blood pressure. Its secretion is stimulated by angiotensin II. Deficiency is hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease).
| Aldosterone | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name | a |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| MeSH | |
| SMILES | OCC(=O)[C@H]4CC[C@@H]2[C@@]4 (C[C@H](O)[C@@H]1C3[C@H](C)CC (=O)/C=C3/CC[C@H]12)C=O |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C21H28O5 |
| Molar mass | 360,44 g/mol |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
|
Aldosterone is a steroid hormone (mineralocorticoid family) produced by the outer-section (zona glomerulosa) of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland to regulate sodium and potassium balance in the blood.
It was first isolated by Simpson and Tait in 1953.[1]
The corticosteroids are synthesized from cholesterol within the adrenal cortex. Most steroidogenic reactions are catalysed by enzymes of the cytochrome P450 family. They are located within the mitochondria and require adrenodoxin as a cofactor (except 21-hydroxylase and 17α-hydroxylase).
Aldosterone and corticosterone share the first part of their biosynthetic pathway. The last part is either mediated by the aldosterone synthase (for aldosterone) or by the 11β-hydroxylase (for corticosterone). These enzymes are nearly identical (they share 11β-hydroxylation and 18-hydroxylation functions). But aldosterone synthase is also able to perform a 18-oxidation. Moreover, aldosterone synthase is found within the zona glomerulosa at the outer edge of the adrenal cortex; 11β-hydroxylase is found in the zona fasciculata and reticularis.
Note: aldosterone synthase is absent in other sections of the adrenal gland.
Aldosterone is the primary of several endogenous members of the class of mineralocorticoids in human. Deoxycorticosterone is another important member of this class. At the late distal tubule & collecting duct, aldosterone has two main actions:
Aldosterone is responsible for the reabsorption of about 2% of filtered sodium in the kidneys, which is nearly equal to the entire sodium content in human blood under normal GFR (glomerular filtration rate).[3]
Unlike neuroreceptors, classic steroid receptors are intracellularly located. The aldosterone/MR receptor complex binds on the DNA to specific hormone response element, which leads to gene specific transcription.
Some of the transcribed genes are crucial for transepithelial sodium transport, including the three subunits of the epithelial sodium channel, the [[Na+/K+-ATPase|Na+/K+ pumps]] and their regulatory proteins serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase, and channel-inducing factor respectively.
Aldosterone synthesis is stimulated by several factors:
The secretion of aldosterone has a diurnal rhythm.[4]
| Urinary system, physiology: renal physiology and acid base physiology | |
|---|---|
| Filtration | Ultrafiltration - Countercurrent exchange |
| Hormones affecting filtration | Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - Aldosterone - Atrial natriuretic peptide |
| Endocrine | Renin - Erythropoietin (EPO) - Calcitriol (Active vitamin D) - Prostaglandins |
| Assessing Renal function / Measures of dialysis | Glomerular filtration rate - Creatinine clearance - Renal clearance ratio - Urea reduction ratio - Kt/V - Standardized Kt/V - Hemodialysis product |
| Acid base physiology | Fluid balance -
Darrow Yannet diagram - Body water -
Interstitial fluid - Extracellular fluid
- Intracellular fluid/Cytosol - |
| Buffering/compensation | Bicarbonate buffering system - Respiratory compensation - Renal compensation |
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