Abstract
Summary
Urethane anesthesia produces elevated plasma concentrations of corticosterone (B) that are sustained over a 4-hour observation period. The elevated B levels are reduced after intravenous administration of dexamethasone (20 μg/100 ml body weight) within 3–4 hr, although the steroid suppression of ACTH release was not complete. Histamine (2000 mg), insulin (0.4 U), formalin (1 ml of 10% solution) and vasopressin (100 mU) each elicited an increase in plasma corticosterone levels in dexamethasone-pre-treated rats. No increments were observed after administration of the same agents in hypophysectomized rats.
The assistance of Mrs. N. L. Swygert and Miss Katherine Egan is gratefully acknowledged.
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