Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid hormone, directly and indirectly regulates the activity of the kidneys and other organs/tissues (e.g. vascular tissue and heart), with stimulatory effects on Na⁺ and water reabsorption, as well as on K⁺ and H⁺ excretion, thus playing an important role in blood pressure regulation. There remain conflicting reports on the existence of local aldosterone in extra-adrenal tissues, including the brain and cardiovascular system, which are mainly based on evidence from semi-quantitative methods.

Durrer et al. have explored this potential phenomenon in a number of well characterised cell lines, in an attempt to shine light on this physiological issue. They supplemented this extensive study with samples taken from patients with primary hyperaldosteronism, with further study of their peripheral blood cells.

The authors conclude that there was no significant aldosterone production in various well characterised, purchased, immortalised and primary human cell lines, including mononuclear cells of healthy subjects and of patients suffering from primary hyperaldosteronism. This has a wide-ranging impact on our research, treatment and understanding of this condition.

Read the full article in Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 72 e230100 https://doi.org/10.1530/JME-23-0100