10 Facts About Aldosterone

Aldosterone is the main mineralocorticoid steroid hormone produced by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland.

Aldosterone has exactly the opposite function of the atrial natriuretic hormone secreted by the heart.

Aldosterone was first isolated by Sylvia Tait and Jim Tait in 1953; in collaboration with Tadeusz Reichstein.

Aldosterone synthase is absent in other sections of the adrenal gland.

Aldosterone is the primary of several endogenous members of the class of mineralocorticoids in humans.

Aldosterone tends to promote Na and water retention, and lower plasma K concentration by the following mechanisms:.

Aldosterone is increased by blood loss, pregnancy, and possibly by further circumstances such as physical exertion, endotoxin shock, and burns.

Aldosterone production is affected to one extent or another by nervous control, which integrates the inverse of carotid artery pressure, pain, posture, and probably emotion .

Aldosterone levels vary as an inverse function of sodium intake as sensed via osmotic pressure.

Aldosterone is increased at low sodium intakes, but the rate of increase of plasma aldosterone as potassium rises in the serum is not much lower at high sodium intakes than it is at low.