In order to study the control system of plasma aldosterone in human, we examined the effects of low salt plus upright posture, angiotensin II, ACTH and potassium upon plasma renin activity, aldosterone and cortisol in five subjects who were supposed to be normal. All of the procedures, low salt diet with below 3 g of salt and 2 hr-upright posture, 0.25 mg of Cortrosyn, angiotensin infusion to increase 20 mmHg of diastolic pressure for an hour, and 30 mEq of potassium infusion stimulated plasma aldosterone significantly. Furthermore, in each subject the degrees of response to each of these stimulations were almost same.
In an old woman aged 68, responses to all of stimulations were significantly lower than those in other subjects.
Plasma cortisol was significantly stimulated by ACTH, but slightly reduced by potassium infusion. From these results, it is certain that plasma aldosteron levels are easily affected by a small amount of changes in angiotensin, ACTH, potassium and sodium. However, responses of aldosterone to these changes seem to be decreased in old subjects.