SOME EFFECTS OF SIMULTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF NORETHANDROLONE AND CORTISONE IN THE RAT

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Abstract
An investigation was undertaken in an attempt to determine whether norethandrolone (NEA) antagonizes all or some of the catabolic effects of 17-hydroxycorticoids. Fourteen groups of eight male young rats (intact, gonadectomized, adrenalectomized and adrenalectomized-gonadectomized) were given subcutaneously either the solvent, NEA (1 mg/day), cortisone (1 mg/day) or a combination of both for 21 days. Results show that administration of NEA has a moderate but consistent effect in increasing body weight of rats receiving no other steroid as well as in preventing the delayed growth rate of those receiving cortisone. In both intact and gonadectomized animals, NEA largely prevented the intense atrophy of the adrenals induced by cortisone. An increase in levator ani weight was promoted by NEA regardless of concurrent administration of cortisone. The latter induced a diminution in the size of seminal vesicles, coagulating glands and ventral prostate, whereas NEA had the opposite effect; when given together the effect of NEA was potentiated. Treatment with NEA alone was shown to have a marked thymolytic effect and also to potentiate the thymolytic effect of cortisone when given together. These results suggest that in some tissues NEA antagonizes, and in others augments, some of the catabolic actions of 17-hydroxycorticoids

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