EFFECTS OF ADRENALECTOMY AND CORTICO-ADRENAL EXTRACT ON RENAL EXCRETION AND TISSUE FLUIDS

Abstract

In 8-9 totally adrenalectomized rats (AR) excretion of urine was less and excretion of chlorides more than in 2-8 normal rats (NR) under the same fasting conditions. When different fluids were injected into AR, their reduced ability to eliminate fluids in comparison with NR was markedly manifested. In the case of NR and AR treated with cortico-adrenal extract, the chloride output per 24 hrs. was approximately the same when distilled water or urea or glucose solutions were injected. Slight differences only appeared in the urea output of NR and AR when water alone was given, or when NaCl or glucose solutions were administered. In non-extract-treated AR injected with various solutions there was a striking deficiency in water excretion. The output of chlorides and urea in mgm. per cc. urine did not differ greatly, however, from that observed in NR or extract-treated AR receiving comparable injections. Urea in small quantities (0.1 gm. per day) proved fatal to AR within 24 hrs. NR, or AR receiving extract, tolerated without difficulty doses up to 0.8 gm. per day. The excretion of phenolsulphonphthalein was approximately the same in NR and AR, whether extract-treated or not. In AR showing symptoms of insufficiency, the liver and the extra-hepatic body tissues had a higher water content than similar tissues of NR. In a series of adrenalectomized cats showing symptoms of insufficiency, the liver and skeletal muscle were more hydrated and the blood and kidneys less hydrated than the similar tissues in normal animals. The water content of the spleen, brain and skin was approx. the same in normal and adrenalectomized cats. Hence the inability of the kidney in adrenalectomized animals to excrete water is due to causes which are extra-renal in origin. The hydro-philic condition of the liver and skeletal muscle may be of particular significance in adrenal insufficiency. The water demands of the hepatic and muscular tissues may be referable to deficiency or toxic conditions (possibly to the profound glycogen reductions) which supervene on adrenal removal.