Effect of Adrenal Cortical Hormone on Renal Excretion of Electrolytes in Normal Subjects

Abstract

The effect of the adrenal cortical hormone on the renal excretion of electrolytes in normal human subjects has been described. A marked alteration in the renal excretion of sodium and potassium was noted during a 5-hour period in which the subjects received adrenal cortical hormone intravenously; little or no effect was observed on the subsequent 24-hour excretion. Subcutaneous injections of hormone in a quantity sufficient to produce a change in the sodium and potassium balance of patients with Addison's disease did not affect the balance of electrolytes in normal subjects. It seemed probable that repeated injections of larger quantities of hormone might produce a significant alteration in the 24-hour renal excretion. In the present study the effect of repeated intravenous injections of hormone on the 24-hour renal excretion of 3 normal subjects has been observed. Three subjects (F. D., female, 14 years of age; D. W., female, 29 years of age; G. W., male, 31 years of age) were provided with a diet of constant mineral composition and a constant fluid intake. The subjects had been maintained on a constant metabolic regime for other purposes during a period of 3 to 4 weeks immediately preceding this investigation. The 24-hour urine collection was completed at 7 A. M. The subjects were injected intravenously with adrenal cortical hormone (500 dog units) at 8 A. M., 12 M., 6 P. M., and 11 P. M. An amount of normal saline solution equivalent to the sodium chloride content of the extract was injected during the 24-hour control period. The preparation of the diet and the methods used for determining the sodium, chloride, phosphate and total nitrogen content of both diet and urine specimens have been described. Potassium determinations were made according to the method of Shohl and Bennett on specimens ashed with thorium nitrate.