Effect of ACTH on Permeability of Adrenal Cells to Sugar.

Abstract

Volumes of distribution of D-xylose and of substances which measure extracellular fluid volume were determined in adrenal and other tissues of nephrectomized rats. Hypophysectomy markedly reduced distribution of D-xylose in intracellular water of the adrenal, and exogenous ACTH increased xylose entry specifically in the adrenal to levels approaching those found in stressed animals with intact pituitaries. Attention is drawn to possible relation of these findings to the mechanism of ACTH action.