The Influence of Cortisone on Renal Function and Electrolyte Excretion in the Adrenalectomized Dog¹

ONE OF the most important renal deficits, which has been accepted as a constant finding in adrenal insufficiency, is the inability of the kidney to limit sodium excretion when normal or subnormal quantities of salt are ingested (Loeb, 1941; Roemmelt et al., 1949). In addition to the renal wastage of sodium, there is frequently a decreased rate of glomerular filtration and a depression of the renal plasma flow which accompanies adrenal insufficiency (Guadino et al. 1949, Harrison et al., 1939, White et al., 1947). As a result of such renal functional deficits, there results a decrease in plasma sodium and an elevation of plasma potassium levels as well as a progressive depletion of extracellular fluid volume (Loeb, 1941; Smith, 1951). It is generally accepted that the administration of desoxycorticosterone, either to adrenalectomized animals or to patients with Addison’s disease, corrects the renal deficit in sodium excretion as well as the abnormal plasma levels of sodium and potassium