Alterations in Electrolyte Intake and Adrenal Steroid Secretion

¹ From the Department of Physiology, Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio

Severe limitation of sodium intake in the dog leads to an approximate twofold increase in adrenal secretory rate of aldosterone, as determined by isolation of the steroid from adrenal venous blood. The rate of secretion of hydrocortisone remains unchanged. The administration of large amounts of potassium appears to be ineffective in altering adrenal secretion of aldosterone or of hydrocortisone. It is postulated that the increased urinary aldosterone associated with increased potassium intake described by others may be due to altered renal handling of the steroid.