Mechanisms of Desoxycorticosterone Action

Abstract

Effects of DCA on tissue Na and radiosodium concentration were studied under various conditions of time, dosage and Na exchange. While DCA tended, in general, to increase the Na content of tissues, this tendency was modified by the nature of the tissue and the duration of DCA treatment. The most notable and consistent increases were observed in the skeletal muscle of animals implanted with DCA pellets. The ability of DCA to increase the muscle Na content was nullified by prior nephrectomy. The factor of greatest importance to the effects of DCA on tissue Na was the level of Na exchange. DCA dosages which increased tissue Na concentrations under conditions of high Na exchange, were without such effect when Na intake was restricted. The circumstances under which DCA elevated tissue Na concentrations thus appeared to be directly correlated with the circumstances under which DCA was shown capable of inducing hypertension.