Abstract
Summary
1. The anti-granuloma, anti-edema and thymolytic properties of corticosterone were studied in intact, thyroidectomized, hypophysectomized or adrenalectomized rats with or without 0.15% thyroid in their diets. 2. Terminal granuloma pellet weights were not much influenced by the operative procedures or by thyroid feeding despite large differences in body weight gain of the various groups. Growth of granulomas was inhibited by corticosterone to a like degree in all groups regardless of endocrine gland ablation or induction of hyperthyroidism. 3. There were no significant differences in the thymolytic effects of corticosterone in the various groups including those in which thyroid feeding alone induced thymic hypertrophy. 4. To the contrary, both the degree of paw edema formed in response to plantar injection of ovalbumin and the prevention of this edema by corticosterone, depended upon other endocrine factors. Thus no significant anti-edema effects of corticosterone were observed in thyroidectomized rats. Thyroid treatment likewise antagonized the anti-edema effects of the steroid in intact or hypophysectomized rats. 5. These data favor the view that cotton pellet granulomas form fairly independently of the hormonal environment of the animal and are inhibited specifically by glucocorticoids. On the other hand, edema formation and its inhibition by glucocorticoids are definitely influenced by the level of circulating thyroid hormone.
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