Adrenocortical Pathway of Lobeline Protection in Some Forms of Experimental Lung Edema of the Rat

Large doses of lobeline inhibit lung edema formation in chloropicrin (CLOP) poisoned rats. No protection was observed if lobeline was given to adrenalectomized animals. Hypophysectomy, adrenal medullectomy did not interfere with the protective effect of lobeline. Stimulation of the adrenal cortex of intact rats by formaline stress or by the administration of adrenocorticotropic hormones, administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate or cortisone to adrenalectomized rats failed to influence lung edema formation even if given in extremely large doses. Lobeline was fully effective in preventing pulmonary edema in adrenalectomized rats if the animals were given a pretreatment of cortisone. This observation supports the concept that though an intact adrenal cortex is essential for the appearance of lobeline protection, cortisone has a supporting role and not an obligatory regulatory action. The presence of the adrenals were not necessary to permit lobeline protection in α-naphthyl-thiourea (ANTU), ammonium chloride, and adrenaline induced lung edema. Lung edema in rats subjected to bilateral cervical vagotomy did not respond to lobeline in the absence of the adrenals.