Adrenal Function and Blood Electrolytes

Summary

1. The physiological role of the adrenal glands in relation to blood potassium, hitherto attributed to function of the cortex or one of its steroid components, can be ascribed to a function of epinephrine secretion from the medulla.

2. The level of potassium in the blood Serum is diminished by intravenous administration of adrenalin in such amounts and rate of injection as correspond with the physiological rate of epinephrine secretion from the adrenal glands.

3. This effect is obtained in normal dogs and in animals with reduced or suppressed epinephrine secretion. The elevation of blood potassium, which occurs in adrenalectomized dogs, can be corrected by constant intravenous injection of physiological dosage of adrenalin.

4. Higher dosage may effect a rise in serum potassium. A moderate increase in dosage usually induces a preliminary rise followed by a more lasting reduction in the level of potassium. This can also result from too rapid injection of smaller doses.

5. Significant changes in sodium were not constant. The supposed dependence upon the adrenal cortex for maintenance of a physiological equilibrium between sodium and potassium is not supported by the results of our experiments.