Role of Adrenal in Pathogenesis of Experimental Renal Hypertension as Determined by a Study of the Bilaterally Adrenalectomized Nephrectomized Dog

Abstract

Bilaterally adrenalectomized and nephrectomized dogs were maintained for periods as long as 40 days by means of intermittent peritoneal lavage without resort at any time to the use of hormonal therapy. The animals developed hypertension of a degree observed in the nephrectomized dog and at autopsy revealed the typical arteriolar and myocardial lesions associated with hypertension as induced by nephrectomy alone. It is concluded, therefore, that the adrenals, contrary to widely current opinion, do not mediate the development of hypertension. The tissue changes including the so-called "periarteritis" and "Aschoff bodies" observed in the absence of adrenal cortical function also cannot be attributed to hyper-function or dysfunction of the adrenal cortex. The observed findings are discussed in the light of known water and electrolyte changes observed in hypertension and in adrenal cortical insufficiency.