Influence of the Adrenal Cortex on Renal Hemodynamics in the Dog

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Abstract
The effect of ACTH administration on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), effective renal blood flow (ERBF) and on filtration fraction (FF) was studied in unanesthetized female dogs before and after the production of atrophic changes in the zonae reticularis and fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. The atrophic changes were produced by Rhothane (DDD) which has been shown to produce changes in the two inner zones of the adrenal cortex. The administration of ACTH to normal dogs caused a considerable increase in GFR, ERPF, ERBF, and a significant decrease in FF. The administration of DDD resulted in varying degrees of necrosis and atrophy of the zonae fasciculata and reticularis of the adrenal cortex with minimal histological evidence of glomerulosa damage. There was a concomitant decrease below control values for the renal function studied in three of five dogs. The subsequent administration of ACTH restored the renal functions to the control level in all five dogs, with the exception of FF. The simultaneous administration of ACTH and Rhothane resulted in a progressive decrease to or below control values from elevated levels in three of five dogs studied. In one dog there was no appreciable elevation of renal function with ACTH under these conditions. In the other dog ACTH administration was continued uninterrupted, and the addition of Rhothane abolished the renal stimulating effect of ACTH within five days. It is concluded that the two inner zones of the adrenal gland influence renal hemodynamics, as manifested by the stimulating effect of ACTH and the depressing effect of Rhothane.