Desoxycorticosterone Acetate Therapy in Addison's Disease

The synthesis of desoxycorticosterone1provided for the first time a practical method for preparing a supply of the crystalline form of the adrenal cortical factor adequate for clinical trial. The effectiveness of this compound in maintaining bilaterally adrenalectomized dogs in good condition despite a diet low in sodium chloride content has been reported.2The striking and beneficial effect of the synthetic type of the adrenal cortical principle in the treatment of patients with Addison's disease has also been described.3It appears likely that desoxycorticosterone acetate will be given extensive clinical trial as the use of this synthetic preparation greatly reduces the cost of treatment (table 1) and the relative stability and uniform potency of the compound permit more exact regulation of dosage than is possible with aqueous extracts of adrenal cortex. The marked potency of the crystalline substance, however, and the profound effects which attend its administration