Effects of o,p′-DDD on Cortisol and 6β-Hydroxycortisol Secretion and Metabolism in Man

Six patients were examined before and during treatment with 2,2-bis (2-chlorophenyl-4-chlorophenyl)-1, 1-dichloroethane (o,p′-DDD). As judged by apparent cortisol production rate and measurement of endogenous cortisol metabolites, the drug increased cortisol secretion in 2 subjects, decreased cortisol secretion in 2 subjects and had no effect on this process in the other 2 subjects. Studies were made of the conversion rate of cortisol to 6β-hydroxycortisol in 3 of these patients. Two subjects showed a marked increase in this conversion during drug treatment, while the third showed diminished conversion. The problem of adrenal secretion of 6β-hydroxycortisol before and during drug treatment was examined by measuring the specific activity of the urinary metabolite before and during treatment with the drug. The limitations of this approach were examined and it is concluded that adrenal secretion is unlikely but that definitive conclusion is impossible on the evidence at present available.