Effects of 11-Oxy Corticoids on Renal Excretion of Water and Electrolytes in Force-Fed Intact Rats.

Summary In the force-fed intact rat, treatment with small daily doses of cortisone or hydrocortisone or their acetates and Δ1 analogues had slight, if any effects on serum Na and K but augmented urinary excretion of water (urine volume), Na and K, suppressed body weight gain, and caused reduction in adrenal weight. Hydrocortisone acetate and prednisolone were most effective of 10 steroids tested in causing adrenal atrophy. Treatment with 9α-fluorohydrocortisone resulted in marked increase in serum Na, severe decrease in serum potassium, marked loss in body weight, no change in urinary sodium, and mild increases in urinary volume and K. Corticosterone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone, or Δ1,4-pregnadiene-17, 20, 21-triol-3, 11-dione (Δ1 U), in the doses employed, failed to affect water and electrolyte balance. These 3 compounds tended to suppress adrenal weight and, excepting Δ1U, caused slight reduction in body weight gain. In general, renal responses were similar to those found previously in adrenalectomized rats.