The Metabolism of Adrenocortical Hormones Involves the Reduction of Double Bonds and Conjugation of the Steroids to Glucuronides and Sulfates

The clearance half-life of cortisol is about 60 minutes, and that of aldosterone is about 20 minutes. This difference is attributable to the observed difference in protein binding of these hormones within the plasma. In general, metabolism of mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid hormones involves the reduction of double bonds and ketone configurations, which reduces the biological activity of the molecules. The liver, an organ important for modification of these hormones, is also an important site for the conjugation of these steroids with sulfates and glucuronides; this reduces their biological potency and renders them water soluble for passage in the urine.