RESTORATION OF RENAL HYPERTENSION IN HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE

Abstract

Rats made hypertensive by partial ligation of one renal artery were hypophysectomized completely. Two wks. later, these animals received varying doses of adrenocorticotrophic hormone or, as a control, lactogenic hormone. Hypophysec-tomy causes a fall of the blood pressure of rats with renal hypertension. The blood pressure does not fall to a normal level except in those animals in which the hypertension has been present less than 1 mo. A purified adrenocorticotrophic hormone will restore the renal hypertension to the pre-hypophysectomy level. Lactogenic hormone in pure form does not show this effect.