PRODUCTION WITH SODIUM SULPHATES OF AN ELECTROLYTE–STEROID-GARDIOPATHY CHARACTERIZED BY NECROSES (ESCN), AND ITS PREVENTION BY MgCl2 AND KCl

Abstract

Massive myocardial necroses and hemorrhagic necroses of the liver can be produced by combined treatment with monosodium or disodium sulphate (NaHSO4 or Na2SO4) and 2α-methyl-9α-chlorocortisol (Me-Cl-COL) in the rat. In this respect, the effect of the sulphates resembles that previously described for sodium phosphates and perchlorate. It differs from that of most other sodium salts that have been tested for this activity up to the present time.NaCl slightly inhibits the cardiotoxic and hepatotoxic effect of concurrent treatment with Na2SO4 plus Me-Cl-COL. Equimolecular amounts of MgCl2 or KCl are even considerably more effective in this respect. It is noteworthy that, under these experimental conditions, the effect of 1 mM. of Na2SO4 can be inhibited by 0.5 mM. of MgCl2 or KCl.We may conclude from these observations that, in rats conditioned by a highly active corticoid, such as Me-Cl-COL, the production of an "infarctoid cardiopathy" (as well as of the accompanying hepatic changes) does not only depend upon the sodium ion, but is largely influenced by the simultaneous presence of other anions and cations.