Some Metabolic Effects of Thiouracil with Particular Consideration of Adrenal Functions1

Abstract

In the course of investigating some of the metabolic effects of thiouracil, in 16 subjects, studies were made of the quantity of various chemical constituents of the blood and urine, the normal amts. of which are known to be influenced, to some extent, by the adrenals. Balance studies were conducted on 6 subjects, one of whom was normal whereas the other 5 had certain manifestations ascribed to hyperadrenocorticism. In a few patients, thiouracil in doses of about 1 g. daily led to a retention of sodium, chloride, nitrogen, creatinine and cre-atine. Generalized edema occasionally developed and was usually associated with hyperchloremia and hypernatremia but not with hypoproteinemia or nephritis. Essentially no changes in the androgenic and gluconeogenetic activities of the adrenals were demonstrated.