V. Stefanovic et al., DIURNAL URINARY-EXCRETION OF CORTISOL AND ALDOSTERONE IN KIDNEY GRAFTRECIPIENTS, Pathologie et biologie, 43(9), 1995, pp. 766-771
In 13 supine kidney graft recipients in the late post-transplant perio
d the circadian rhythms of urinary cortisol and aldosterone excretion
were studied. An inversion of the circadian rhythm of urinary cortisol
excretion was found, with acrophase occuring in the night time. Plasm
a cortisol level, measured in 6 h intervals, attained the maximal mean
value at 24 h. Urinary aldosterone excretion in most of the patients
demonstrated also an inversed circadian rhythm with acrophase occuring
from 21 to 03 h. In 6 patients the 24 h urinary aldosterone excretion
was above the upper limit for healthy persons. The peak plasma aldost
erone level was found at 24 h; it greatly exceeded the upper limit of
aldosterone level in healthy supine persons. In 5 out of 13 patients t
he plasma renin activity (PRA) was above the upper limit of normal for
supine subjects. The maximal mean PRA level was found at 24 h. The st
udy in kidney graft recipients has established an inversed circadian r
hythm of urinary cortisol and aldosterone excretion, probably related
to the immunosuppressive treatment and reduced kidney function.