Activity of Pituitary-Adrenal Cortex Axis During Acute and Chronic Reserpine Treatment.

Abstract

Acute reserpine treatment of guinea pigs, rats and human patients resulted in activation of the pituitary-adrenal cortex axis demonstrated by hypertrophy of adrenals, adrenal ascorbic acid depletion and higher 17-ketosteroid and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid levels. These changes disappeared in the course of chronic treatment. It is hence suggested that reserpine through its transitory stimulating effect on the pituitary-adrenal cortex axis acts as a non-specific stimulus, which loses its effect on chronic administration.