THE EFFECT OF ADRENALIN ON CARBON DIOXIDE OUTPUT AND RESPIRATORY QUOTIENT: PROPORTIONALITY WITH DOSE

Abstract

Data are presented describing CO2 output and R.Q;. during, and 5 to 10, and 25 to 30 mins. after, intraven. adm. of adrenalin for 5 mins. at rates of 0.00025, 0.00050, 0.00100, 0.00200, 0.00400, 0.00700 and 0.01000 mg. per kg per mm. For the 5-min. inj. period, maximum increase of both occurs with 0.001 mg. per kg. per min., which appears, also, to be the minimal effective dose. With each of the 4 higher inj. rates, the increase during this period of inj. is progressively less. Such, also, was the effect on pulmonary ventilation, described in the previous report of this series (1940b); and perhaps the most probable explanation of the results described. After inj., CO2 output and R.Q. also seem most adequately explained by pulmonary ventilation, so, again, reference may be made to the description of it (1940b) for explanation. Most importantly, neither CO2 output nor R.Q. vary in proportion to dosage with any similarity to O2 consumption and would therefore seem very unreliable indices of the qualitative metabolism underlying the calorigenic action of adrenalin.