Determination of blood corticoids using the in vitro resin uptake of 3H-prednisolone

The in vitro resin uptake of 3H-prednisolone was used for the determination of blood cortisol after addition of radioactive prednisolone followed by Amberlite CG 400 Type 1 to the test serum, and incubation of the mixture. The radioactivity of the supernatant was compared before and after the addition of the resin. The principle of this method is similar to that of the 131I-triiodothyronine resin uptake for the thyroid function test. The tests for the specificity, reproducibility and sensitivity gave satisfactory results. The mean basal value ± SD of the 3H-prednisolone resin uptake was 35.3 ± 9.2% in normal subjects, and 27.1 ± 4.8% in pregnant women. This method was valid in various adrenal function tests, i. e. the adrenal circadian rhythm, corticotrophin (ACTH) test, dexamethasone suppression test and the adrenal response to lysine-8-vasopressin. It proved to be a sensitive indicator of the adrenal function. These results suggest that this method should be useful for a routine adrenal function test.