{
  "patent_number": "US 4081538",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Using Specific Steroid Molecules to Block Salt Retention in the Body",
  "original_title": "Aldosterone antagonists",
  "summary": "A 1976 medical patent describing the use of 11-beta,18-oxidopregnane compounds to help the body excrete sodium by blocking the salt-retaining effects of the hormone aldosterone.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent details a method for treating patients who retain too much salt by administering specific chemical compounds known as 11-beta,18-oxidopregnanes. These molecules act as aldosterone antagonists, meaning they compete with or block the natural hormone aldosterone, which normally signals the kidneys to hold onto sodium. By inhibiting this hormone, the drug forces the kidneys to excrete more sodium, which can help lower blood pressure or reduce fluid buildup. The claims specify a range of chemical structures, including 18-deoxyaldosterone, that can be used to achieve this effect.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover the use of spironolactone or other non-oxidopregnane class diuretics.",
    "Does not cover treatments for conditions unrelated to mineralocorticoid-induced sodium retention.",
    "Does not claim the synthesis process for creating these specific chemical compounds."
  ],
  "filed": "1976-12-02",
  "granted": "1978-03-28",
  "expires": "1996-12-02",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Individual",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/individual",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Stanley Ulick",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/stanley-ulick"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 5,
  "tags": [
    "pharmaceutical",
    "biotech"
  ],
  "abstract": "A method for increasing the excretion of sodium by inhibiting the effect of mineralocorticoids, involving the administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective amount of an 11β,18-oxidopregnane as an aldosterone antagonist.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4081538/aldosterone-antagonists",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4081538/aldosterone-antagonists/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US4081538",
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}