THE UTILIZATION OF INTRAVENOUSLY INJECTED SALT IN NORMALS AND IN PATIENTS WITH CUSHING'S SYNDROME BEFORE AND AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE 1

Abstract

The utilization of intraven. injected salt both before and after adm. of DCA was studied in 12 normal individuals and in 4 patients with Cushing''s syndrome. In normal individuals, the hormone inj. caused a decrease in the urinary excretion of Na and Cl ions as compared to the control values. In the patients with Cushing''s syndrome the inj. of DCA resulted in a marked increase in the urinary excretion of Na and Cl ions. Various possible mechanisms are discussed which might explain this phenomenon. Aside from its physiological significance this test may be of value in the diagnosis of hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex.