| abstract |
Steroid compounds of the 20-spiroxane series and their analogues having an open ring E of the formula, <IMAGE> (I) in which -A-A- represents the group -CH2-CH2- or -CH=CH-, R1 represents hydrogen, and R2 represents an alpha -oriented lower alkoxycarbonyl radical, or R1 and R2 together represent an alpha - or a beta -oriented methylene radical, -B-B- represents the group -CH2-CH2- or an alpha - or beta -oriented group <IMAGE> X represents two hydrogen atoms or oxo, Y1 and Y2 together represent the oxygen bridge -O-, or Y1 represents hydroxy, and Y2 represents hydroxy, lower alkoxy or, if X represents H2, also lower alkanoyloxy, and salts of compounds in which X represents oxo and Y2 represents hydroxy, are distinguished as effective aldosterone-antagonists with minimal side-effects and, for that reason, are especially suitable for the treatment of all forms of hyperaldosteronism. |