The effect of oral and intravenous glucose administration on the adrenal response to cold exposure.

Abstract

The important relation between adrenal cortical hormones and the metabolism of carbohydrate has occasioned some interest in the effect of glucose on the function of the adrenal gland itself. Dohan and Lukens (1948) found that intraperitoneal injections of glucose result in a significant decrease in adrenal cholesterol. A 25% reduction in adrenal cholesterol values after oral administration of glucose has been reported by Abelin (1945), a finding in substantial agreement with the results of Steeples and Jensen (1949). Elmadjian, Freeman and Pincus (1946) also reported adrenal activation after oral glucose administration. These reports would seem to indicate that oral or intraperitoneal glucose administration results in increased adrenal activity. Other evidence suggests that carbohydrate administration by intravenous injection or by feeding exerts an inhibitory action on the metabolic effects of adrenal cortical hormones or an adrenal cortical activity itself. Constantinides (1950) has reported less adrena...