EFFECTS OF CORTICO-ADRENAL EXTRACT ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN NORMAL ANIMALS

Abstract

Extracts of the adrenal cortex of proven potency have a marked influence on carbohydrate metabolism in normal animals (cats, rats, rabbits). Young animals are particularly responsive subjects. In them the blood glucose and liver and muscle glycogen values are considerably elevated within an hour after injection of the extract. Six hours after injection (in rats) the levels are still maintained higher than in controls treated with adrenalin or saline solutions. Storage of glycogen in the liver after extract treatment is enhanced 3-5 times above that found in the controls. This appears to represent a highly important function of the cortico-adrenal hormone. Large amounts of dilute adrenalin solution (1:2,000,000), given intraperitoneally to young rats, produced increases in blood sugar and reductions in muscle glycogen; liver glycogen was also in many cases reduced. The increments in hepatic glycogen produced by the extract form the basis of a relatively simple and economical means of testing the potency of the material.