THE EFFECT OF ESTROGEN ON WATER AND ELECTROLYTE METABOLISM. II. HEPATIC DISEASE

Abstract

Daily administration of estradiol benzoate caused sustained retention of Na, Cl and water in 8 of 9 cases of hepatic cirrhosis with ascites. The same dose in cases of hepatic cirrhosis without ascites caused NaCl and water retention only slightly greater than in the normal. The effect of estrogen in obstructive jaundice was similar to that in cirrhosis without ascites. In 4 cases of infective hepatitis, estradiol caused significant retention in one case only. In cases of portal hypertension without hepatic disease, and ascites without hepatic disease, no retention of Na, Cl and water after estrogen was seen. It is suggested that the NaCl-retaining effect of estradiol in the group of cirrhosis with ascites is due to decreased hepatic inactivation of the hormone, dependent in turn upon a disturbance in the hepatic circulation rather than on hepatocellular damage. Increased endogenous estrogen activity may be a factor in the fluid retention of liver disease.