DECREASED ALDOSTERONE PRODUCTION BY RAT ADRENAL TISSUE IN VITRO DUE TO TREATMENT WITH 9α-FLUOROCORTISOL, DEXAMETHASONE AND ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIN IN VIVO

Abstract

ABSTRACT Quartered adrenal glands of rats treated with 9α-fluorocortisol, dexamethasone or adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) for two weeks were found to produce 70–90% less aldosterone in vitro than the adrenal tissue of untreated animals. The same fractional decreases in aldosterone production were observed when the adrenal tissue was incubated under basal conditions or was stimulated by serotonin, potassium ions or ACTH. In rats kept on a sodium-deficient diet, treatment with dexamethasone and ACTH, respectively, impaired aldosterone production to the same extent as in rats on a normal sodium intake, whereas treatment with 9α-fluorocortisol was almost completely ineffective. These results indicate that inhibition of aldosterone secretion by an exogenous mineralocorticosteroid is mediated by changes in sodium balance. On the other hand, high levels of exogenous or endogenous glucocorticosteroids apparently decrease aldosterone production by a yet unknown control mechanism which is independent of sodium intake.