[Aldosterone and progesterone content and blood renin activity in women with idiopathic edema syndrome in various phases of menstrual cycle].

Aldosterone and progesterone content and renin activity were studied by the radioimmunological method in women with the idiopathic edema syndrome and in healthy women in various phases of the menstrual cycle. The most significant differences were revealed in the luteinic phase of the cycle. A parallel elevation of the renin activity and of the aldosterone level against the background of a high progesterone level occurred in healthy women at this phase. Patients showed greater increase in the aldosterone level with the reduction of renin activity and a low progesteron level. Hyperaldosteronism was observed in patients with the idiopathic edema syndrome in all the phases of the cycle. It is suggested that an excessive elevation of the aldosterone level and a decrease in the progesterone level in the luteinic phase of the cycle could served as one of the pathogenetic mechanisms of the edema syndrome formation.