POTENTIATION OF PRESSOR EFFECTS OF NOR-EPINEPHRINE AND EPINEPHRINE IN MAN BY DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE 1

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Abstract
Graded intraven. infusions of l-nor-epinephrine and of epinephrine (0.1-0.3[mu]g./kg./min.) in 12 non-hypertensive and 3 borderline hypertensive males produced pressor effects which were significantly intensified in their systolic and diastolic components after admn. of desoxycorticosterone acetate (10 mg. daily over an avg. of 17 days). Addition of 10 g. of NaCl to the diet did not appreciably influence these reactions. The resting blood pressure was slightly elevated in subjects receiving extra salt, but was not modified in the others. The avg. level of serum Na was unchanged at the end of desoxycorticosterone admn.; the K level was diminished. The heart diam. was slightly enlarged. The body wt. was not influenced. The possibility was discussed that a potentiation of sympathomimetic pressor effects due to intrinsic neurogenic nor-epinephrine in the vascular contractile cells and to circulating epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, under the influence of exaggerated adrenocortical activity, may be a pathogenic factor in essential hypertension.