THE EFFECT OF ALLOXAN ON THE ADRENAL CORTICAL SECRETION

Abstract

The present study demonstrates that a diabetogenic dose of alloxan produces a rapid and transient increase in the peripheral plasma corticosterone levels. This is attributed to the adrenal response to the stress situation provoked by alloxan. Pre-treatment of the animals with fluorocortisol prevents this adrenal response and the occurrence of alloxan induced hyperglycaemia. The role played by the response of the adrenal cortex on the onset and the maintenance of alloxan diabetes is discussed.