THE RELATIVE EFFECTS OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE AND WHOLE CORTICO-ADRENAL EXTRACT ON ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY

Abstract

Desoxycorticosterone given to cats showing early symptoms of adrenal insufficiency acts slowly over a period of 6-24 hrs. It usually but not always effects recovery. Animals with severe insufficiency do not respond to desoxycorticosterone treatment alone. Oral treatment is not effective. In contrast, whole cortico-adrenal extract restores animals with severe adrenal insufficiency (convulsions, coma) in 1-6 hrs., and oral and other routes of adm. are effective. The single crystalline adrenal factor, desoxycorticosterone, given routinely in moderate dosage, maintains normal tissue and blood-chemical values in adrenalectomized animals. Its action is much inferior to the whole cortico-adrenal hormonal complex, however, in restoring animals in the crisis of insufficiency. Desoxycorticosterone probably has no direct influence on carbohydrate metabolism. In the crisis of adrenal insufficiency, if whole cortico-adrenal extract is not utilized, the advisability of using glucose in conjunction with desoxycorticosterone is strongly indicated.