Abstract
Summary
Adrenocortical activity of normal and scorbutic guinea pigs, administered acetoacetate for a prolonged period, was evaluated by determining adrenal weights, adrenal ascorbic acid and cholesterol and urinary 17-ketosteroids. There was a progressive decrease in adrenal cholesterol and ascorbic acid of scorbutic guinea pigs and an increase in adrenal weights and urinary 17-ketosteroids. Acetoacetate injections for 35 days to normal as well as to scorbutic guinea pigs did not cause significant changes in adrenal weights, adrenal cholesterol, ascorbic acid and urinary 17-ketosteroids. Acetoacetate administration for 70 days caused an increase in adrenal weights and urinary 17-ketosteroid and a decrease in adrenal ascorbic acid and cholesterol. The results indicate hyperactivity of the adrenals in scorbutic guinea pigs. Normal and scorbutic guinea pigs subjected to prolonged acetoacetate administration also exhibited increased adrenocortical activity.
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