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Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc.
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Aldosterone produced in the adrenal cortex, is the most potent mineralcorticoid in humans. As with other steroid hormones, aldosterone is synthesized from cholesterol through a series of enzyme-mediated steps. Aldosterone and cortisol differ only in that a hydroxyl modification occurs at the 18, rather than 17, position on the steroid molecule.
The first and rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis, conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, is stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). However, ACTH has only a minimal effect on aldosterone production. Aldosterone secretion appears to be
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