ROLE OF THE ADRENAL GLAND IN THE RESPONSE OF PLASMA POTASSIUM OF THE RAT TO MODERATE AND SEVERE HYPOXIA12

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
KLINE (1952) has shown that, in the cat, moderate hypoxia produces a decrease in the plasma potassium concentration, whereas severe hypoxia produces an increase. He believes that these electrolyte shifts are influenced by secretions from the adrenal gland. More recently it has been demonstrated (Sussman et al., 1953) that moderate hypoxia produces a decrease in plasma potassium concentration in the rat. The present investigation was undertaken in an attempt to determine the role of the adrenal in the response of plasma potassium of the rat to moderate and also to severe hypoxia. METHODS Male rats of the Wistar strain weighing betwen 200 and 300 gm. were used. They were fed Purina Chow and water ad libitum. Hypoxia was produced by acute decompression whereby rats were taken to simulated altitudes of 25,000, 28,000, 30,000 or 35,000 feet within 2 to 3 minutes. After 30 minutes they were returned to ground level as quickly as possible and a blood sample was obtained.

This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit: