Increase in aldosterone secretion by acute denervation of the thyrocarotid arterial junction

Abstract

Dogs in which the adrenal veins had been cannulated were subjected to acute bilateral denervation of the thyrocarotid arterial junctions. Aldosterone secretion was determined before and after denervation. Denervation resulted in increased secretion of aldosterone, which was observable within 30 minutes. Dogs in which the thyrocarotid arterial junctions had been denervated 1–3 weeks previously showed resting levels of aldosterone secretion comparable to those of unoperated controls. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that aldosterone secretion is stimulated by reducing nerve impulse traffic in the nerves arising from the thyrocarotid arterial junctions. The return of levels of aldosterone secretion to normal 1–3 weeks after denervation suggests the presence of another system inhibiting secretion of aldosterone, such as that mediated by the vagus nerves.