THE EFFECTS OF PITRESSIN ON THE METABOLISM AND EXCRETION OF WATER AND ELECTROLYTES IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS AND ASCITES 12

Abstract

An infusion of 5% glucose in water was admd. so as to attain and maintain a positive balance of 1 1. of water throughout the entire study. A dose of 2.5, 100, or 2,000 mu. of pitressin was admd. There was no difference between the 2 groups with respect to: (1) the time required to attain a max. rate of excretion of water, (2) the intensity of the antidiuretic response, or (3) the duration of the antidiuretic response to the 2 smaller doses of pitressin admd. intraven. The largest dose of pitressin, 2000 mu., was admd. subcut., and the increased duration in response may have been due to the delayed absorption from this site, which might be expected to be slower in the hypoalbuminemic cirrhotic. The rates of excretion of Na, Cl, and K were not increased by the pitressin. Thus the cirrhotic exhibits no increase in sensitivity to, nor inability to inactivate or excrete pitressin admd. in physiological doses.