OBSERVATIONS ON THE RELATION OF RENAL FUNCTION CHANGES TO THE ELECTROLYTE ANDGLYCOSURIC EFFECTS OF ACTH IN MAN1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
DURING the past few years, the effects of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) on carbohydrate, water, and electrolyte metabolism have received considerable attention. The hormone appears not only to decrease carbohydrate tolerance but also to perhaps induce renal glycosuria (Conn, Louis and Wheeler, 1948). In regard to electrolyte metabolism it produces retention of water, sodium, and chloride but promotes loss of potassium in the urine. These alterations in renal function have been thought to be due to the direct effects of the adrenocorticoids on the renal tubules (Conn et al., 1948; Ingle, Li, and Evans, 1946). ACTH and cortisone have been reported to produce changes in renal plasma flow (Ingbar, Relman, Burrows, Kass, Sisson and Burnett, 1950; Berliner) and glomerular nitration rate in man (Ingbar et al., 1950; Berliner; Kendrick, Schoenberger, Dyniewicz, Grimelli and Keeton, 1950), but to have no effect on the maximum ability of the tubules to absorb glucose.