Changes in Plasma and Tissue Water and Electrolytes After Epinephrine Administration in Rats

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Abstract
Analyses of plasma and tissue water and electrolytes content were made in intact and adrenalectomized groups of rats untreated and 60 minutes after epinephrine injection. Evidence was presented that the plasma potassium concentration was significantly decreased in intact and adrenalectomized rats after epinephrine compared to their respective controls. The potassium content of muscle tissue was significantly decreased in the epinephrine treated intact and adrenalectomized groups. There was no change in the water, sodium or chloride concentration of plasma after epinephrine in either intact or adrenalectomized groups. However, there was a significant decrease in intracellular water content and increase in extracellular water content which was briefly discussed as linked to the change in potassium content. None of these changes were determined in liver tissue of the intact or adrenalectomized groups 60 minutes subsequent to epinephrine injection. In view of the above results and the evidence that the sodium and chloride content of muscle of the intact group was significantly increased after epinephrine but not so in the adrenalectomized group, the results were briefly discussed as evidence of an effect of epinephrine on the potassium “balance” in the compartments of the organism.