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aldosterone
(al-dosītәr-ōn)
the main mineralocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, the principal biological activity of which is the regulation of electrolyte and water
balance by promoting the retention of sodium (and, therefore, of water) and the excretion of potassium; the retention of water
induces an increase in plasma volume and an increase in blood pressure. Its secretion is stimulated by angiotensin II. See also renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
aldosterone antagonist
a compound that blocks the action of aldosterone; the group includes potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone that compete with aldosterone for receptor sites, thus blocking the aldosterone-dependent exchange of sodium and potassium
in the distal tubule.
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