EFFECT OF PARTIAL ADRENAL CORTICAL ATROPHY ON THE COURSE OF ALLOXAN DIABETES*

Abstract

A group of dogs was given 2, 2 bis (parachloro-phenyl)-1, 1-dichloroethane (DDD) orally for 5 weeks. This treatment produced atrophy and disappearance of the inner two-thirds of the adrenal cortex, leaving little more than the zona glomerulosa intact. Alloxan was then injd. in a dose which destroyed almost all the beta cells of the islets. The phase of primary hyperglycemia was short and of minor degree, but the phase of subsequent hypoglycemia occurred early and was unusually severe. During the following few days the dogs had blood sugars little if any higher than normal. Finally the dogs were subjected to a K tolerance test without ill effect. The suppression of the initial hyperglycemia and of the diabetes following alloxan is interpreted as due to the loss of the zona fasciculata and the zona reticulata of the adrenal cortex in these DDD-treated dogs. The satisfactory electrolyte control during the K tolerance test is considered to indicate good function by the surviving zona glomerulosa.