THE ADRENAL CORTEX AND ENDOGENOUS CARBOHYDRATE FORMATION

Abstract

The previously reported finding that an increase of glycogen occurs in albino rats, when exposed for 24 hrs. to 1/2 atmosphere, is confirmed, and paralleling this deposition of glycogen the urinary N and ketones were found also increased, the O consumption at the same time being lowered and the R. Q. raised. Adrenalcctomized rats, although not having a significantly lower O consumption than intact rats, excreted less N and ketones and showed no increase, nor any increase in glycogen, at 1/2 atmosphere. Hypophysec-tomy also prevented the increase in glycogen at low O tension. Adrenalcctomy lowered markedly the sugar, N and ketone excretion of phloridzinized rats. Rats from which only the adrenal medullae were removed responded as intact rats in respect of the stated effects, but large doses of adrenal cortical extract to adrenalcctomized animals did not alter their responses. It is concluded that the adrenal cortex is concerned in the conversion of protein to carbohydrate.