ACTH-INDUCED CHANGES IN PURINE AND CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN DALMATIAN AND MONGREL DOGS12

Abstract

Two Dalmatian and 3 mongrel dogs were given 345 mg. of ACTH per day for periods of 4-6 days. Excretion of "total purine N" was increased about 25% in both strains. Uric acid constituted the major increment in the Dalmatians, while it was predominantly allantoin which increased in the mongrels. Elevated allantoin excretion persisted in the recovery periods for as long as 15 days. Increased production as well as increased clearance accounted for the increment in renal excretion of purines. Both groups exhibited negative N balance and increased excretion of 17-ketosteroids and "11-oxvsteroids." Typical diabetic glucose tolerance curves were obtained in both Dalmatians and in one mongrel dog. A 2d mongrel exhibited a mild decrease in carbohydrate tolerance while a 3d showed no change. There appears to be a relationship between the diabetic response and the increase of urinary uric acid excretion. These observations suggest that the differences in susceptibility of dogs to the diabetogenic effects of ACTH are related to individual variations in the response of purine metabolism to ACTH.