CHEMICAL DETERMINATIONS OF THE ADRENO-CORTICAL (AC) HORMONES IN THE HEART MUSCLE OF THE RAT1

Abstract

Quantitative chemical detns. of the conc. of the adrenal hormones (adrenalin and cortical sterols, "AC") were made in the heart muscle of rats. Seasonal and racial variations (higher conc. during winter and in dark pigmented animals) were established. The myocardial AC level was increased after adm. of adrenalin and of desoxycorticosterone acetate. Increases of the myocardial AC conc. were also observed following physical exercise, exposure to cold and after the injection of insulin and strophanthin. The myocardial AC was diminished after adrenalectomy. Pretreatment with thyroxin enhanced the deposition of injected adrenalin in the heart muscle. The adm. of testosterone propionate and castration had little effect. Death occurred in all animals with a myocardial content of AC which was greater than 1900 color units per g. of muscle, with the signs of acute heart failure. The colorimetric "specificity ratio" proved a fairly reliable means for the differentiation of the mutual relationship between the adreno-cortical constituents.