A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF ADRENALECTOMY AND OF CHLOROTHIAZIDE IN EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES INSIPIDUS

Abstract

SUMMARY: Chlorothiazide and its analogues had a marked antidiuretic action in diabetes insipidus; the effect appeared to be independent of that of antidiuretic hormone. In a series of rats which had been treated with these saluretic drugs, subsequent adrenalectomy had a similar antidiuretic effect. Chlorothiazide produced little or no further antidiuresis in these adrenalectomized animals, but it prevented the restoration of polyuria which otherwise followed the administration of adrenal steroids. It is suggested that the distal part of the renal tubule where osmotically free water is released is a site of action common to chlorothiazide and corticoids.