Adrenal Function in Alloxan Diabetes

Abstract

Urinary corticoid excretion of alloxan-diabetic rats was compared with the excretion of normal rats of similar body weight. Fed diabetic animals excreted considerably more of both biologically active and inactive corticoids than did the normals. Fasting had no effect on excretion by the intact animals, but lowered that of the diabetics almost to normal levels. Diabetic rats excreted more of a given dose of exogenous cortisone. In general there was a high correlation between urine volume and corticoid excretion, probably indicating dependence of urine corticoid excretion on the urine volume. In vitro production of corticoids by adrenal glands of diabetic rats was normal though the glands were somewhat large. It is felt on the basis of these findings that the urinary output of corticoids is not necessarily a reliable measure of adrenal activity, and that adrenal enlargement may not always indicate increased adrenal function.