Studies Concerning the Role of the Adrenal Cortex in the Pathologic Physiology of Diabetic Acidosis. I. Temporal Relations Between the Metabolic Events of Experimental Diabetic Acidosis and the Level of Adrenal Cortical Function1

Abstract

The temporal relation between adrenal hyperactivity and other metabolic phenomena was investigated in depancreatized dogs during the evolution of exptl. diabetic acidosis by comparison of serial eosinophil counts and urinary corticosteroid detns. with (a) estimations of blood and urine chemical constituents, (b) balance measurements, and (c) changes in insulin sensitivity. Eosinopenia and an increase in the rate of corticosteroid excretion were found to be comparatively late features of ketoacidosis induced by the omission of insulin. A close temporal relation was found to obtain between increased adrenal activity, as judged by these indices, and the following metabolic events: (1) an acceleration in the rate of catabolism of protoplasm, (2) a loss of K in excess of N, and (3) a decrease in sensitivity to injd. insulin.