Effects of Adrenalectomy and Aldosterone on Sodium Concentration in Renal Medulla of Hydropenic Rats.

Abstract

1. Water, sodium, and potassium contents of renal cortex and papilla have been measured in normal and adrenalectomized hydropenic rats with and without administration of exogenous aldosterone. 2. Sodium content of renal papilla and cortex expressed in terms of dry tissue solid were little changed by adrenalectomy of aldosterone. However, water content was increased by adrenalectomy, the increase being 33% in papilla and 24% in the cortex. Aldosterone had no significant effect on this phenomenon. 3. It is suggested that the adrenal secretion exerts an influence on active transport of sodium across the ascending limb of loop of Henle. 4. Under our conditions, aldosterone is not sufficient to restore renal tissue concentration of sodium to normal in adrenalectomized animals.