Spironolactone, with the trade name, Aldactone, was originally developed in the early 1970's as a competitive antagonist of aldosterone for the treatment of hyperaldosteronism, edema (water retention), and hypokalemia (low potassium). Aldosterone, secreted by the adrenal glands, was traditionally believed to act only on the kidneys to increase sodium and bicarbonate retention, promote potassium and hydrogen excretion, and exert a role in water retention. This latter property allows for the use of spironolactone as a diuretic, often abused by bodybuilders to achieve a more defined look prior to a competition.