Impairment of the Enzymatic Inactivation of Adrenal Cortical Hormones Following Passive Venous Congestion of the Liver

Acute hepatic venous congestion severely impairs the enzymatic reduction of ring A of desoxycorticosterone, cortisone and hydrocortisone in male and female rats. Preliminary experiments with aldosterone indicate a similar impairment in metabolism. Sham operations do not have this effect. The defect in the inactivation of these hormones persists for as long as 9 months after the onset of hepatic venous congestion, although some recovery is evident. It is suggested that the secondary aldosteronism of congestive heart failure may be accounted for in part by this enzymatic lesion.