INCREASED ALDOSTERONE-18-GLUCURONIDE TETRAHYDROALDOSTERONE RATIOS IN PREGNANCY/

In the present study the aldosterone-18-glucuronide and tetrahydroaldo sterone values in 24 hour urine collections of healthy nonpregnant wom en, women with normal pregnancies and women with pregnancy induced hyp ertension (PIH) were compared. In pregnancy an elevated excretion of b oth aldosterone metabolites was found. The Q-ratio (aldosterone-18-glu curonide / tetrahydro-aldosterone + aldosterone-18-glucuronide) was al so increased compared to healthy nonpregnant women. The elevated Q-rat ios point out to increased formation of aldosterone-18-glucuronide. Th is predominantly renal metabolite may reflect greater availability of aldosterone molecules for interaction with mineralocorticoid receptor in the kidney.