Comparative Effects of Cortisone and DCA on Ionic Balance and Fluid Volumes of Normal and Adrenalectomized Dogs

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Daily intramusc. injns. of cortisone acetate (5 mg./kg.) and desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) (0.5 mg./kg.) were given a series of intact, normal dogs and a series of bilaterally adrenalectomized dogs for 7-day periods. The animals were then sacrificed and analyses of the Na, K, Cl, and water concn. in plasma, brain, ileum, skin, liver, heart, lung, spleen, erythrocyte, muscle and bone were performed. Concomitant studies of blood and plasma volume (T-1824 space), "extracellular" fluid volume (SCN), hematocrit, and external ionic balance studies were made. Tissue control values were obtained from a series of normal dogs, but for other studies each animal served as its own control. In adrenalectomized dogs cortisone reduced plasma concns. of Na and Cl and increased that of K. Cumulative balances of Na, K, and Cl for the week of cortisone therapy were uniformly negative. Although specific tissues were markedly altered no generalization of this effect is possible. Adrenalectomized dogs given DCA showed (1) a lowered plasma K, (2) no change in Na and Cl plasma levels, (3) positive Na, K, and Cl balances, (4) normal blood and plasma volume (5) significantly increased SCN space, and (6) a generalized increase in tissue Na and Cl with a reduction in K. Normal dogs given cortisone showed plasma ion level changes directionally similar but smaller than those of the adrenalectomized group. Tissue changes of this group were not, however, necessarily directionally similar. Normal dogs given DCA yielded qualitatively the same changes in the plasma and tissues studied as those of the adrenalectomized groups.

This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit: