Ratio of Urinary 6β-Hydroxycortisol to 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids in Patients with Liver Disease

Abstract

The ratio of 6β-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the urine of 73 patients with liver disease, and 53 controls has been measured. The mean ratio was significantly greater in the liver disease group (p < 0.001), this elevation being most marked among patients with liver metastases and patients with acute hepatitis. We feel that the use of the ratio as a test of early liver cell dysfunction requires further evaluation, in particular in the early recognition of metastatic liver disease.

Assessment of urinary 6 beta‐hydroxycortisol as an in vivo index of mixed‐function oxygenase activity.

“…Smith & Rawlins (1974) (Thrasher et al, 1969), thyroid status (Yamaji et al, 1969), liver disease (Eade et al, 1977), adrenal status (Frantz et al, 1961) and hypertension (Kornel etal., 1975) without necessarily affecting the rate of drug metabolism. Furthermore it has been suggested that there may be some adrenal production of 6,8-hydroxycortisol Thrasher et al, 1969) and this also may show inter-individual variation.…”