EFFECT OF CHRONIC CORTISONE TREATMENT AND COLD EXPOSURE ON THE ZINC CONTENT AND THE SUCCINIC DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY OF THE ADRENAL GLAND

Abstract

Chronic treatment, with cortisone (5 mg/day) results in a dramatic increase in the zinc concentration in the adrenals. The treatment produces an atrophy of the gland without affecting its total zinc content. This fact accounts for the increase in the zinc concentration.Zinc determinations on fat-free adrenals confirm that, as a result of atrophy, zinc is retained; and show that the site of retention is the proteic part of the gland. Exposure to cold produces hypertrophy of the gland, but no change in the total zinc content, resulting in a decrease in the zinc concentration.Adrenal succinic dehydrogenase (S.D.) activity is decreased with cortisone treatment. Cold exposure produces a transient increase in the S.D. activity.Thus, there is no relationship between S.D. activity and zinc content in the adrenals.