RESISTANCE OF RATS TO POTASSIUM POISONING AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF THYROID OR OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE1

Abstract

Resistance of rats to KCl injns. was altered by previous treatment with thyroid and adrenal hormones. 35 normal rats injected intraperitoneally with 65 mg. of KCl per 100 g. body wt. (10% aq. soln.) had a 40% survival ratio. Desoxycorticosterone acetate (2 mg./100 g. daily for 14 days) gave definite protection as shown by the 83% survival in 36 rats, but induced physiological atrophy of the adrenal cortex so that only 25% of 36 rats survived when KCl was given 3 days after the adrenal steroid injns. were stopped. Feeding dried thyroid (15 mg. daily for 10 days) reduced survival to 19% of 26 rats, but stimulated a physiological hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex so that 10 days after cessation of thyroid feeding 73% of 38 animals survived. Adm. of both substances produced an intermediate state approx. the resistance of untreated controls.