Effect of Aspirin and Reserpine on Adrenocortical Response to Piromen in Man

Abstract

The intra-venous administration of 0.1 [mu]g of Piromen/kg body weight to young normal male and female subjects causes a significant rise in body temperature and plasma hydrocortisone levels. The rise in plasma hy-drocortisone distinctly preceds the elevation of body temperature above 37[degree]C. Fever is, therefore, not the cause of the elevated hydrocortisone levels. That the rise in plasma hydrocortisone levels following Piromen is due to increased adrenocortical secretion is evidenced by an increased size of the miscible pool and turnover rate of hydrocortisone. The increases in plasma hydrocortisone levels, eosinopenia, temperature and pulse rates caused by Piromen are significantly lessened by the concomitant administration of 2.7 g of aspirin but are unaffected by the prior and concomitant administration of reserpine (4 mg/24 hours).