THE ACUTE EFFECT OF ADRENAL CORTICAL EXTRACT, ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE, AND DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE ON THE THIOCYANATE, BROMIDE, AND MANNITOL SPACES; PLASMA VOLUME AND TOTAL BODY WATER IN NORMAL DOGS

Abstract

It has long been accepted that there are striking shifts of fluid as well as electrolytes between the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments under the influence of the adrenal cortex. The plasma and interstitial spaces—subdivisions of the extracellular compartment—also undergo changes. In Addison’s disease there is an associated loss of sodium and chloride as well as water through the kidney and later the gastro-intestinal tract (Iiarrop et al., 1933). Retention of potassium by the kidney as well as an overall increase in the intracellular and extracellular potassium takes place (Harrison and Darrow, 1938; Buell and Turner, 1941; Hegnauer and Robinson, 1936). There is a fluid depletion of the plasma and interstitial spaces, subdivisions of the extracellular compartment, with a reduction in their volume and at the same time cellular overhydration with an increase in the size of the intracellular (Harrop et al., 1933; Clarke and Cleghorn, 1942). Certain corticosteroids, especially desoxycorticosterone acetate, may cause retention of sodium.