Abstract
Summary
The electroshock seizure thresholds (EST) of intact and adrenalectomized rats implanted with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) and given water or a 0.9% sodium chloride solution to drink have been measured. The rate of elevation of EST was as follows, in increasing order: intact controls on water; intact DCA-implanted animals on water; adrenalectomized DCA-implanted rats on water; adrenalectomized DCA-implanted rats on 0.9% sodium chloride solution. These rates correspond to those predicted on the basis of the known effects of the secretion of the adrenal cortex and the concentration of extracellular sodium on brain excitability. Cortisone and adrenocortical extract (ACE) lowered the elevated EST of adrenalectomized DCA-implanted rats which were given a solution of sodium chloride to drink by 8.5% in 6 days. Following withdrawal of cortisone or ACE the EST returned to pretreatment levels in 11 days. Cortisone lowered the elevated EST of adrenalectomized DCA-implanted rats given water to drink by 10% in 3 days; following withdrawal of cortisone the EST returned to the pretreatment level in 2 days. It has been suggested that the results obtained provide evidence for the concept that cortisone and DCA compete for strategic loci in target cells.
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