SOME EFFECTS OF LOW BAROMETRIC PRESSURES ON KIDNEY FUNCTION IN THE WHITE RAT

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Exposure to sufficiently low barometric pressures for 3-hr. periods invariably led to polyuria in the white rat. After exposure to 15,000 ft. altitude equivalent the urine output was increased 150% and after 25,000 ft. 300% over the control (0 ft.) levels. The high altitude polyuria was further increased by cold (-10[degree] C), but decreased by heat (30[degree] C). Phenolsulphonphthalein excretion was not significantly affected during exposure to 15,000 ft. altitude equivalent. In contrast to the polyuria with normal PSP excretion observed at high altitudes, anemic anoxia due to CO poisoning resulted in decreased urine and PSP excretion. Repeated 3-hr. daily exposures to 15,000 or 25,000 ft. had no significant effect on the polyuric response to high altitude, which was well sustained throughout the 27 day expts. At the end of this time, when tested at 0 ft. once more, the urinary excretion was normal. Relative kidney wts. of the animals indicated slight renal hypertrophy after 15,000 ft. exposure and marked renal hypertrophy after 25,000 ft. exposure. The histological picture of the kidneys of the latter animals showed slight beginning pathological changes. High-altitude polyuria may be inhibited or reversed by the inj. of post-pituitary extract.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: