Effect of Cortin upon Renal Excretion and Balance of Electrolytes in the Human Being. ∗

Abstract

Previous attempts to show a positive effect of cortin in normal subjects have met with little success. The present experiments demonstrate that large doses of this hormone produce a prompt effect on the kidney. Sodium, potassium and chloride excretion have been studied in 4 normal subjects and in 2 patients with Addison's disease. All were maintained on a constant diet and liquid intake. Hourly urine specimens were collected during the fasting state with the subject at rest. Cortin was injected intravenously each hour for 4 hours, a total of 80 cat units being injected in each subject. This was approximately 3 times the amount required to maintain a patient with severe Addison's disease for 24 hours. Sodium chloride (0.9%), heated cortin solution and a dilute adrenalin solution were used as control injections. The results are summarized in Table I.

Cortin injections were associated with a marked reduction (average 42%) in the excretion of sodium over a 5-hour period. In patients with Addison's disease similar injections of cortin caused reductions in sodium excretion ranging from 20 to 50% depending on the condition of the patient.

Potassium excretion was increased in the normal subject about 30% for the 5-hour period during which cortin was injected. In the case of one untreated patient there was no increase in potassium excretion during the 5-hour period. With the patients CB¹ and IB¹ the injection of cortin increased the excretion of potassium 66 and 170% respectively during the 5-hour period.

Some reduction in chloride excretion accompanied the cortin injections in 2 normal subjects and in both patients with Addison's disease.

Electrolyte balance studies were carried out on 8 normal subjects and on 3 patients with severe Addison's disease. The subcutaneous daily injection of from 12 to 30 cat units of cortin produced no effect in the normal subjects.