Gluconeogenic and Lipid Effects of Adrenal Secretion

Abstract

The total blood was collected for several hours from the left adrenal in anesthetized dogs. The plasma was extracted with ethylene dichloride and the hormones finally taken up in 5% alcohol in 0.9% Na Cl soln. for injn. The gluconeogenic hormone content was detd. by its ability to cause deposition of glycogen in the liver of adrenalectomized mice starved 24 hours, while the lipid activity was detd. by the ability to cause deposition of lipid in the liver of similarly prepared mice. Assays of hormone were based on unit of time rather than quantity of blood. The amt. of gluconeogenic hormone secreted per unit of time varied greatly from one individual to another but there was always some secretion. A few dogs showed no secretion of lipid hormone. There was great range in amount among the others. The lipid hormone content of arterial blood was below the limit of sensitivity of the authors'' test. Cessation of blood flow through the adrenal for a considerable period sometimes reduced the secretion of both gluconeogenic and lipid hormones when flow was resumed. Infusion with isotonic NaCl solution alone reduced the rate of lipid hormone secretion. Expts. suggest that no lipid hormone is secreted during or shortly after fat is fed. Epinephrine injd. in large or small amts. had no effect on secretion of gluconeogenic hormone or lipid hormone. ACTH had no effect on lipid hormone secretion although it did cause a marked rise in gluconeogenic hormone output in the same animal.