OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF ALDOSTERONE IN MAN

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY: 1. Aldosterone has been administered by various routes to a patient with normal adrenals and to two patients with Addison's disease. The intramuscular route gave the most regular effect on sodium retention. In some instances intravenous infusion was very effective. 2. In one patient with Addison's disease, aldosterone and cortisone had opposing effects. Aldosterone produced sodium retention, potassium loss and water retention to a significant degree, whereas a single dose of cortisone stimulated a loss of all these substances. The urinary K/Na ratio is a valuable index in assessing aldosterone activity. 3. It was possible to choose conditions, namely presumed adrenocortical hyperactivity and hypertonic saline infusion, where the sodium retaining properties of aldosterone were counteracted. 4. Aldosterone in dosages up to 1 mg was without effect on the sensitivity to insulin in two patients with adrenal insufficiency. Further negative effects, namely on blood eosinophil levels, nitrogen excretion, steroid metabolism and blood sugar levels, were observed.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: