Plasma corticosterone levels and salt intake in experimental hypertension in the rat

• Published in: The American journal of cardiology Vol. 8; no. 5; pp. 700 - 704
• Main Authors: Skelton, Floyd R., Hyde, Paul M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.01.1961
• ISSN: 0002-9149; 1879-1913
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-9149(61)90376-9

Plasma corticosterone levels were determined in uninephrectomized, adrenalectomized rats during development of corticosterone-induced hypertensive vascular disease. The mean maximum plasma corticosterone concentration (92.6 μg. per 100 ml.) occurred 1 hour after subcutaneous injection of the steroid. This level was not significantly different from that observed (84 μg. per 100 ml.) in normal rats 1 hour after exposure to nonspecific stress. The mean plasma levels of corticosterone in hypertensive rats receiving 2.5 mg. and 1.25 mg. per 100 gm. body weight were 46 and 48.2 μg. per 100 ml., respectively. These values are well within the physiologic range attained during response to stress and only slightly higher than the mean 12 hour levels produced by 8 I.U. of long-acting ACTH. The significant difference observed between the blood pressures of animals receiving 2.5 mg. and 1.25 mg. of corticosterone twice daily is presumed to be due to difference in salt consumption.