THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SALT-TREATED 

 ADRENALECTOMIZED ANIMAL 



THE EARLIER phvsiological studies on the adrenal led to the conclusion that 

 bilateral removal of this gland was invariably and rapidly fatal. Recent 

 work has made it clear, however, that the administration of sodium chloride 

 greatly prolongs the survival time of the adrenalectomized animal. These 

 studies on the adrenal run parallel to the observations that have been made 

 on the parathyroid gland. Both glands have been considered necessary for 

 life, and as the knowledge of their functions has grown it has been found in 

 each case that the administration of one of the important electrolytes of the 

 body in the appropriate amount restores the animal to a state of existence 

 w^hich approaches that of the normal animal. 



Current opinion of adrenal cortical function holds that the adrenal cortex 

 has various far-reaching functions. KendalP divides the adrenal cortical hor- 

 mones from the physiological standpoint into two groups: one, to which 

 desoxycorticosterone belongs, is said to influence the permeability of mem- 

 branes and the distribution of inorganic ions; the other, represented by corti- 

 costerone, is said to stimulate gluconeogenesis and the deposition of glycogen 

 in the liver. 



Long^ seems to hold a similar view, that the control of inorganic and organic 

 metabolism by the adrenal cortex necessitates the acceptance of two different 

 hormones. He points out, however, that the changes in organic metabolism 

 influence the inorganic metabolism in that the stimulation of protein catabo- 

 lism and the increased rate of gluconeogenesis induced by corticosterone result 

 in an increased rate of excretion of potassium and phosphate. 



Still another view has been emphasized by Hartman:^ namely, that the ac- 

 tion of the adrenal cortical hormone is not restricted to a single tissue but that 

 by its influence on metabolism, and upon membrane permeability and enzyme 

 action, and probably by its effect on the nervous system, it plays a dominant 

 role in the whole organism. 



Our studies on the salt-treated adrenalectomized rat have led us to the con- 

 clusion that the adrenal cortex is not indispensable to life under all circum- 

 stances and that its function is not limited to any specific mechanism. It may 

 well be that any mechanism requiring sodium chloride is affected by adrenal 

 cortical hormone. 



1. The Effect of Salt on Survival and Growth in Adrenal Deficiency 



Soddu,' in 1898, using the dog, was apparently the first investigator to ad- 

 minister saline following adrenalectomy; he reported little benefit therefrom. 

 Years later, in 1926, Banting and Gairns' repeated this procedure and were 

 able to prolong the survival period of their dogs a few days. Much more success 



I Sol 



