Mildred C. Prestrud

Effect of adrenalectomy upon level of blood amino acids in the eviscerated rat.

Summary Adrenalectomy in the eviscerated rat lowered the level of amino acids in whole blood at each level of insulin dosage and glucose load when determined 24 hours after operation.

Effect of Cortisone Acetate upon Plasma Amino Acids in the Eviscerate Rat

Summary Male rats were eviscerated and eviscerated-adrenalectomized. All of the animals received continuous intravenous infusions of saline with glucose and insulin for 24 and 48 hours. The administration of cortisone acetate in doses of 5 and 10 mg per 24 hours to one rat of each pair caused significant increases in the concentration of plasma amino acids above the values for untreated animals. It is postulated that the observed change represents an extra-hepatic effect of cortisone upon protein metabolism.

Effect of Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone Upon Liver Fat and Urinary Phosphorus in Normal Force-Fed Rat.

Summary Normal male rats were forcefed a medium carbohydrate diet. The administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone in amounts of 3 mg per rat per day for 10 days caused an increase in liver fat, glycosuria, a rise in urinary nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus, suppression of weight gains and some changes in organ weights.

Changes in Carcass Urea Following Evisceration in the Rat

Summary Male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain were eviscerated at a weight of 250 g and were given intravenous infusions of solutions of glucose, insulin and 0.9% sodium chloride for periods up to 48 hours. Comparisons were made of the total carcass plus urinary urea in 26 control rats taken immediately following evisceration, 24 rats which were killed 24 hours following evisceration and 16 rats which were killed 48 hours following evisceration. The average total carcass urea of the 24-hour rats was lower than that of the controls, and the average value for the 48-hour group was still lower. From the statistical standpoint, it is highly probable that there was some extra-renal loss of urea following evisceration. These results are indirect evidence for the occurrence of urea catabolism. The results are in agreement with observations on other species in showing that there is no rise in the urea concentration of the body in the absence of the liver.

Effect of adrenal cortex extract upon the urinary nitrogen of rats following adrenalectomy.

Summary Two experiments were carried out as follows. Force-fed rats given saline to drink were subjected to adrenalectomy or to sham operations. Half of the adrenalectomized rats were treated with 4 cc of beef adrenal extract per day. All of the animals showed an increase in urinary nitrogen following operation but it was significantly less in those animals which either had their adrenal glands intact or were treated with adrenal cortex extract.