Effect of Adrenocortical Hormones on Serum Proteins of Adrenalectomized Mice Infected with M. tuberculosis. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Following administration of varying amounts of hydrocortisone, desoxycorticosterone, and 2-methyl-9-fluorohydrocortisone to adrenalectomized non-infected mice and adrenalectomized mice experimentally infected with M. tuberculosis, changes in serum proteins were determined by a paper electrophoretic technique. An increase in total protein was observed with hydrocortisone; a decrease in albumin and an increase in alpha₃ globulin occurred with hydrocortisone, high doses of desoxycorticosterone, a combination of hydrocortisone and desoxycorticosterone, and 2-methyl-9-fluorohydrocortisone; and an increase in gamma globulin resulted with a high dose of hydrocortisone. The individual effects of the hormones on serum proteins were not apparent in those animals infected with M. tuberculosis. All of the animals, except those treated with 2-methyl-9-fluorohydrocortisone, showed an increase in alpha₂ globulin while only the high dose of hydrocortisone produced a decrease in albumin.