STUDIES ON SUPRARENAL INSUFFICIENCY

Abstract

V. In 9 out of 18, and 21 out of 30 doubly suprarenalectomized rats the non-protein and urea N of the blood was increased, the amount of. increase tending to parallel the severity of the symptoms of suprarenal insufficiency. Such increases were not noted in 12 rats having either gross accessory cortical tissue or successful cortical transplants, in the absence of demonstrable chromaffin tissue. Following control blank operations, moderately high values for both substances were infrequently found during the 1st 2 wks. after operation, but these values were not so high as those observed in suprarenal insufficiency. Otherwise the values obtained were normal. The results indicate that the high values for non-protein and urea N of the blood after suprarenalectomy are associated with cortical insufficiency. It is suggested that this is further evidence for a function of the suprarenal cortex concerned with the steady maintenance of certain bodily conditions.[long dash]VI. Of 25 doubly suprarenalectomized rats sensitized with horse serum 9 died from anaphylactic shock following the test dose, 5 had severe symptoms, 3 had moderate symptoms, and 8 had slight symptoms. No correlation was found between the presence or absence of gross accessory cortical tissue or the time of survival after operation and the susceptibility to anaphylactic shock. Normal rats (29) sensitized with horse serum had, following the test dose, no symptoms or only slight or moderate ones. Of 15 of these rats which were suprarenalectomized after the test injection 12 died of anaphylactic shock following a 2nd test dose injected after operation. Of 15 suprarenalectomized rats having autoplastic cortical transplants, and in some cases gross accessories as well, 6 died from anaphylactic shock following sensitization and the injection of a test dose of horse serum. An attempt to reduce the susceptibility of suprarenalectomized rats to anaphylactic shock by injection of adrenalin chloride solution gave suggestive though incomplete evidence of possible protection. It is concluded that suprarenalectomized rats are more susceptible than normal rate to anaphylactic shock, and that this increased susceptibility is not related to cortical insufficiency, but is consequent on the lack of medullary suprarenal tissue.[long dash]VII. After 2 hrs. in a moderately cold room 10 normal rats, 10 suprarenalectomized rats with autoplastic cortical transplants, and 5 suprarenalectomized rats having gross accessory cortical masses (with 2 exceptions) had similar slight variations in the rectal temp. All these had no marked external reactions to the cold and recovered their original normal temp. after 1 hr. at room temp. following exposure to cold. Rats having cortical insufficiency showed a fall in the rectal temp. after 2 hrs. in the cold room, showed more or less marked external reactions to the cold, and did not recover their original temp. in a warm room as soon as those having cortical tissue. The fall of rectal temp. upon exposure to cold and the inability to rapidly recover normal temp, is correlated with the degree of cortical insufficiency. It is concluded that the suprarenal cortex, as well as the medulla, is indirectly concerned with heat regulation.