From Richard Harvey (series editor), Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology (LWW, 2008):
” Mineralocorticoids
Mineralocorticoids help to control the body’s water volume and concentration of electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium. Aldosterone acts on kidney tubules and collecting ducts, causing a reabsorption of sodium, bicarbonate, and water. Conversely, aldosterone decreases reabsorption of potassium, which, with H+, is then lost in the urine. Enhancement of sodium reabsorption by aldosterone also occurs in gastrointestinal mucosa and in sweat and salivary glands. [Note: Elevated aldosterone levels may cause alkalosis and hypokalemia, whereas retention of sodium and water leads to an increase in blood volume and blood pressure. Hyperaldosteronism is treated with spironolactone.] Target cells for aldosterone action contain mineralocorticoid receptors that interact with the hormones in a manner analogous to that of the glucocorticoid receptor “.