EFFECTS OF HYDROCORTISONE ON THE ACTIVITIES OF HEPATIC GLUTAMIC PYRUVIC TRANSAMINASE AND ARGINASE, AND ON THE CHANGES OF ORGAN WEIGHT IN RATS

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Abstract
After hydrocortisone administration the activity of hepatic glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and the activity of hepatic arginase were followed at intervals in female rats, and at the same time the weight of some organs and the content of liver protein were also measured. GPT and arginase activities reached maximum levels at the 6th hr. after a single subcutaneous injection of 2 mg/lOO g body weight of hydrocortisone. Daily injection of the same dose for 7 days caused twice the increase of GPT activity and 1.5 times the increase of arginase activity as in controls. There was a striking parallel between these enzyme activities increased by hydrocortisone. The weights of the adrenal gland, thymus and spleen decreased remarkably, those of the liver, kidney and heart increased, and the weight of the thyroid did not change after daily administration of hydrocortisone. A sharp increase in liver weight was noticed at the 16th hr. after single injection. The influence of hydrocortisone on the liver protein content was not significant.