Interplay between various adrenal cortical steroids with respect to electrolyte excretion.

Abstract

Hydrocortisone-like steroids such as corticosterone, hydrocortisone and 9α-fluoro-16α-hydroxy-Δ′-hydrocortisone, given simultaneously with aldosterone, diminished the sodium retaining action of aldosterone and enhanced the potassium excreting properties of aldosterone in adrenalectomized rats. An increase in sodium excretion by hydrocortisone- like steroids even in the presence of aldosterone was associated with an increased glomerular filtration rate. Spirolactone, however, diminished the sodium retaining effect of aldosterone without significantly affecting the glomerular nitration rate. The combination of hydrocortisone-like steroids and aldosterone frequently produced a greater potassium excretion than the sum of the potassium output by these 2 used separately. The synergistic increase in potassium excretion by these 2 types of steroids given simultaneously was markedly diminished by spirolactone, suggesting that this increase may be independent of the filtered load of potassium related to the glomeru...