1. Using a newly developed and validated radio-assay method, we have measured plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone concentrations in a wide spectrum of human hypertensive states.

2. Patients with essential and renovascular hypertension have normal plasma concentrations of 11-deoxycorticosterone.

3. Elevated concentrations are seen in some patients with primary aldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome, low-renin hypertension, and in adult hypertensive subjects with elevated urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion.

4. An aetiological role for deoxycorticosterone in certain forms of human hypertension appears likely.

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