EXTRACELLULAR FLUID VOLUME AND RENAL FUNCTION IN PITUITARY INSUFFICIENCY AND ACROMEGALY

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Abstract
Measurement of the volume of extracellular water (ECW) was performed simultaneously with determinations of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) in 12 hypophysectomized patients (5 cases of metastatic mammary carcinoma and 7 diabetic subjects) and in 13 cases of acromegaly. Thirteen normal subjects served as controls. ECW was estimated from the volume of distribution of inulin, GFR and RPF from the renal clearances of inulin and para-aminohippurate, respectively. In the acromegalic group, an increased GFR and RPF was found together with an increased ECW, confirming earlier observations. In the hypophysectomized patients (who were all on cortisone replacement therapy), GFR and RPF were markedly decreased. However, the reduction in GFR and RPF was not associated with any significant changes in ECW.