THE EFFECT OF ADRENALECTOMY, ADRENAL CORTICAL HORMONES, AND TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE PLUS ADRENAL CORTICAL EXTRACT ON THE "ALKALINE" AND "ACID" PHOSPHATASES OF THE LIVER AND KIDNEY OF THE RAT

Abstract

Adrenalectomy slightly increased the "alkaline," pH 9.8, phosphatase of the liver of young (150 g.) adult [male] rats. The hourly injn. for 8 hrs. of adrenal cortical extract (aqueous Upjohn) on the 5th post operative day greatly increased this enzyme. The increase occurred at a much faster rate than the increase in glycogen. Histochemical studies demonstrated greater amts. of the enzyme to be present (produced?) in the cytoplasm, walls and nuclei of the liver cells. Previous treatment with testosterone propionate did not alter the effect of the adrenal cortical extract on either the amt. of glycogen or the increase in the enzyme activity. Desoxycorticosterone acetate was ineffective. Adrenalectomy resulted on the 5th post operative day in a small decrease in the "alkaline" phosphatase of the kidney which was prevented by the admn. of 1% NaCl as drinking water or by the daily injn. of 1 mg. of desoxycorticosterone acetate. The hourly admn. for 8 hrs. of adrenal cortical extract on the 5th post operative day was ineffective. Testosterone propionate, 2 X 2.5mg./day, produced a marked increase in this enzyme. None of the above treatments produced a significant change in the "acid" phosphatase, pH 5.4, of either the liver or the kidney.