CARBOHYDRATE AND ELECTROLYTE CHANGES IN ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY IN THE DOG

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
There are pronounced carbohydrate deficiencies in adrenal insufficiency in the dog, similar to all other animal types investigated. In over 50 expts. the average blood sugar levels were reduced 40%, although in many cases not to the shock level. Liver glycogen was reduced 85% below normal[long dash]practically to exhaustion in the greater no. of cases[long dash]heart glycogen about 75% and muscle glycogen 45%. In short survivals (up to 2 days) the blood sugar fell about the same as in longer survivals (2-21 days). These represented the most serious changes observed in adrenal insufficiency in the dog. Cortico-adrenal extract restored normal blood sugar levels and markedly reduced the high blood urea values within 12 or 24 hrs. after inj. in dogs with adrenal insufficiency. During the same period there were only insignificant changes in serum Na or blood chloride levels. Following the inj. of large amts. of NaCl in dogs with adrenal insufficiency, the levels of serum Na or blood chlorides rose to normal, while the blood sugar cone. fell. Survivals were thus extended only a few days in such cases. Adrenalin injs. failed to raise the blood sugar significantly in adrenalectomized dogs. Recent important work has shown that there is strong support for the belief that serious carbohydrate disturbances occur in the adrenalectomized dog. A comprehensive scheme is presented which sets forth in diagrammatic and progressive order the outstanding changes which occur following removal of the adrenal glands. Permeability changes affecting especially the liver and muscle tissues are quite possibly responsible for initiating electrolyte and protein disturbances, and these are accompanied by (or cause, or depend on) the profound disorganization in carbohydrate metabolism which in most animals at least brings about death.

This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit: